Croatia’s first commercial LTE services are now available to subscribers in the cities of Zagreb, Rijeka, Osijek and Split. Hrvatski Telekom’s customers can now access high-speed 4G mobile broadband, with data speeds ten times faster than 3G. Nokia Siemens Networks has provided the radio access network and related services for the operator’s 4G services.
“With this launch, we are modernising our existing GSM and 3G networks to bring Croatia alongside many leading markets across the world that enjoy 4G,” said Božidar Poldrugač, member of the management board and chief technology officer, at Hrvatski Telekom.
Hrvatski Telekom is the first operator in Croatia to begin selling the new LTE data tariffs with speed data transfer to private and business customers.
Nokia Siemens Networks is providing its Single RAN (radio access network) solution, which enables Hrvatski Telekom to provide GSM, 3G and LTE to its customers. The fast introduction of LTE services is enabled by using the 1800 MHz GSM band already available to the operator. The use of the 900MHz band is extended for GSM, and also for 3G coverage expansion in rural areas. In addition to offering new 4G services and improving the quality of GSM and 3G services, the modernisation will allow the operator to reduce the overall energy consumption of its network.
“With data traffic expected to increase dramatically, network evolution to next-generation technologies can help operators ensure a differentiated user experience. Hrvatski Telekom’s new LTE network will raise the bar for data services in the country”, said Nives Sandri, in charge of business with Hrvatski Telekom at Nokia Siemens Networks.
