Intel has bought one of 15 licenses auctioned out by the PTS (Post och Tele Styrelsen) in Sweden in the 2.5-2.69GHz frequency range more commonly known as the 2.6GHz band. Intel is planning to use this license for WiMAX and is now going to look for parters to work with. This makes Sweden the second country after Taiwan in which Intel is involved with WiMAX.

Carl-Daniel Norenberg, business developer at Intel Nordic, is quoted as saying that the frequency range they got is very suitable for WiMAX and as Intel isn't a network builder or operator, Intel is looking at renting out or leasing the freqency range to partners.

There are no specific requirements for the licenses to use any specific technology or to provide any specific coverage, and as such Intel can work with several companies to set up a nationwide WiMAX network in Sweden, which seems to be its goal.

The TDD1 (Time Division Duplex) license Intel bought offers both up and down link transmissions and covers the 2570 to 2620MHz band. Intel paid the least out of the five bidders at 159 million SEK (about €17 million) and got the only TDD license.

The other companies involved in the bidding that won FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) license includes Telia Sonera Mobile Networks, Tele 2 Sweden, Telenor Sweden and Hi3g Access AB, which is the company behind the 3G operator 3 in Sweden. Hi3g Access AB only won two licenses with the other three companies winning four each.

You can find the results from the auction here in English (PDF)