T-Mobile Netherlands and Tele2 Netherlands have signed an agreement to share mobile sites. Tele2 NL will now be able to access the majority of T-Mobile's antenna sites on rooftops and towers, in addition to its own sites in the Netherlands. Both operators will continue with their own roll-out plans, and operate their own frequencies and nationwide mobile communication network independently.
The site-sharing agreement will provide lower maintenance costs for the physical mobile network. Both T-Mobile NL and Tele2 NL will be installing their own network equipment at each site, but will share the antennas on rooftops or towers and the installment of other non-intelligent hardware.
Tele2 NL also extended its 2G and 3G MVNO agreement with T-Mobile NL for five years. The extended MVNO agreement will ensure Tele2 NL customers with continued voice and data services and serve as a fallback solution following the completion of Tele2 NL's own 4G network roll-out.
T-Mobile NL's 4G network will become available in phases after the summer, beginning with Greater Amsterdam. The operator will then deploy in other large cities and the rest of the Randstad, running from west to east. Work is scheduled for completion in the second half of next year. Claudia Nemat, in charge of T-Mobile operations in Europe, said in February that the operator was open to network-sharing operations in small countries.
Tele2 NL has not yet announced its 4G roll-out plan. Company spokesperson Jan-Willem te Gussinklo said the company will likely need need 3,500-4,000 sites, but declined to say where roll-out would begin and which equipment vendors are being used. The company plans to disclose its 4G strategy on 5 September.
