Russian telecom operators did not want to wait for domestic 5G equipment

Domestic mobile operators have begun to purchase foreign equipment for the development of 5G networks. Writes about this "Kommersant". MTS, VimpelCom and Tele2 have already partially upgraded their infrastructure to launch new generation networks. At the same time, the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications insists on the development of networks based on domestic equipment.

MTS first received license to launch 5G and is ready to purchase equipment from Huawei. According to a source familiar with the details of the project, the deal will amount to about 7,5 billion rubles. At the same time, the company has already spent 10 billion on the purchase of equipment and software from Ericcson. Victor Belov, Vice President of MTS for Technology, explained that the network upgrade will help meet the demand for traffic in Moscow and the Moscow Region. According to him, the market is growing by 65% ​​annually.

Representatives of Vimpelcom said that they had already completed the modernization of networks. The origin of the equipment is not specified, but in 2019 they reported plans to purchase from Huawei. 

Tele2 also announced the upgrade of most communication stations in the Moscow region. Ericsson became the provider of the operator. The amount of the transaction was not disclosed, but in February 2019 the company entered into a deal for the supply of 50 pieces of equipment. According to experts, it cost about €500 million.

MegaFon is only planning to upgrade the network, but has not yet chosen an equipment supplier.

Due to the use of foreign equipment, operators may have problems using the desired frequencies. The most suitable range for 5G is considered to be 3,4-3,8 GHz, but it was occupied by Roskosmos and military structures. In addition, the Ministry of Communications insists on the development of 5G based on domestic equipment with its competitiveness. The department has developed a special concept, but it has not yet been adopted. Rostec, which planned to become a supplier of domestic equipment, created "road map", according to which the necessary frequencies will be able to receive only those operators who purchase Russian equipment.

Telecom Daily CEO Denis Kuskov noted that mobile operators need to start replacing equipment now in order to avoid technological backwardness. Russian complexes, according to him, will become available on the market no earlier than 2024, but by this time the companies will have already replaced all the required equipment.

Source:

• Kommersant

Source: 3dnews.ru