China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK) and SmarTone have agreed to a bandwidth swap in the 1800MHz band, in a move to reduce the interference with other networks and to improve the service quality of their networks.
a statement released by the Communication Authority
According to the two cellcos, the proposed swap is solely aimed at reducing the interference with other networks and improving the service quality, thereby resulting in more flexible use of the spectrum. This will increase the spectral efficiency and network capacity of both operators.
CMHK currently has a total of six frequency channels adjacent to other networks while SmarTone has a total of seven frequency channels adjacent to other networks. After the swap, which can be performed overnight with minimal risk or impact to customers, CMHK will have three frequency channels adjacent to other networks while SmarTone will have six.
The swap will reduce the number of channels adjacent to other networks for both operators, thereby reducing the adjacent channel interference, which will lead to improvement of network quality. As a result, both spectral efficiency and network capacity can be improved and increased.
The regulator said it has approved the proposed swap based on the grounds that the deal doesn’t include any monetary exchange between the two parties and consumers will benefit from improved voice and network capacity.