Tele2 and Ericsson launched Russia’s first fifth-generation cellular network.
“The pilot 5G network in the frequency range of 28 GHz has been launched in the NSA mode (non-standalone), which allows deploying 5G in LTE networks and makes it easier to implement the latest standard at the initial stage,” Ericsson commented.
Pilot 5G networks are being launched in million-plus cities under the Digital Economy national program. The program provides for extensive commercial use of 5G in five cities with a population of over one million by 2022 and ten more such cities by 2024.
Tele2 and Ericsson closed a partnership for developing 5G networks in Russia at the MWC 2019 trade fair last February. The companies agreed to install 50K base stations supporting 5G in 27 Russian regions, including Moscow and St Petersburg.