Russian mobile giant MegaFon has revealed plans to launch a Time-Division Long Term Evolution (TD-LTE) network in Moscow to complement its existing 4G MVNO arrangement with Scartel (Yota). According to Interfax, MegaFon has already deployed over 300 TD-LTE base stations in the capital, but is unable to launch commercial services as the regulator forced it to relinquish spectrum in the 2.57GHz-2.62GHz band, as utilised by its subsidiary Synterra, in preparation for the long-delayed frequency auction.

Meanwhile, MegaFon’s LTE MVNO is poised to go live in Moscow on 14 May, after launching in Novosibirsk during the last week of April. Going forward, unconfirmed press reports have also suggested that the network will launch in Krasnodar this week. Cities including St Petersburg, Samara, Vladivostok, Ufa and Kostroma have all been earmarked for 4G connectivity by the end of 2012.

In related news, last week saw MegaFon announce the launch of Russia’s first ever LTE-suitable tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9. Branded ‘LTE MegaFon Edition’, the new product will only be available in MegaFon retail stores.

Source: TeleGeography