On August 29, Russia’s biggest mobile operator MTS and Chinese Huawei launched a pilot 5G network in Kronshtadt – the first 5G network in Russia where the signal covers almost the entire populated area. The signal is provided by eight base stations: five of them ensure a wide coverage of the area working in the range of 4.9 GHz, and three more in the range of 28 GHz. In the fall, four more stations will be added in the 4.9 GHz band.
MTS expects the 5G network available at all socially significant facilities in the town with over 40,000 residents west of St. Petersburg to help introduce innovative solutions and services in housing and utilities, transport, industry, education and tourism.
The company’s rivals have launched two 5G pilot zones earlier this year. One of them, created by MegaFon, also with Huawei equipment, operates in the Moscow City business area and has hosted the first 5G eSports tournament. The second one was launched by Tele2 and Rostelecom along Tverskaya Street in Moscow with Ericsson equipment. The plan is to open eight 5G test zones in Moscow.