Japanese mobile operators NTT DoCoMo, KDDI and eAccess will each receive spectrum in the 700 MHz-frequency band, following a communications ministry decision.
The operators will be allocated the frequencies of 773-MHz to 803-MHz, to allow them to improve mobile capacity and coverage, Jiji Press reported.
In Japan, the 700-MHz to 900-MHz bands are collectively referred to as the “platinum band,” due to these wavelengths' wider coverage and improved ability to penetrate or navigate around buildings.
NTT DoCoMo has revealed it has received ministry permission to deploy 3.9G base stations using the band,. to augment its Xi LTE network.
DoCoMo launched the Xi network in December 2010.
The company has also revealed plans to begin offering LTE services on the 700-MHz band at the start of 2015.
Softbank was the only operator not to receive 700-MHz spectrum, because the operator was allocated 900-MHz spectrum by the ministry earlier this year.