5G already in Lithuania: Telia was able to activate the next-generation connection without a frequency auction

Two more 5G base stations will be installed in the Klaipeda Free Economic Zone (FEZ).

Well, the answer to the question of how the base stations were powered up even before the frequency auction is quite simple – these are frequencies that are used non-commercially for technology testing. The good news in this case is that we can all get a taste of the technology. And you won’t have to pay anything for it.

It should be recalled that Telia and its predecessor companies in Lithuania are constantly at the forefront in enabling next-generation communication: this operator (at that time Omnitel) was the first to enable 2G, 3G and 4G communication.

“In 2018, we were one of the first in Europe to test 5G technology on a real network in Vilnius. Today, the 5G connection in Lithuania is taking the second step: we are connecting 13 base stations, which will allow individuals and companies to evaluate the most important advantages of 5G and first of all the impressive speed of mobile Internet, without additional charges. ”Danas Strömbergas, CEO of Telia, quoted in the press release. He is also responsible for the Danish and Estonian markets within the Telia Group.

Meanwhile, the three operators will only be able to provide commercial services after the 5G frequency auction, which is currently expected to take place early next year.

Strömberg hopes that the new generation of mobile communications will promote the development of a sustainable digital society and provide a qualitative leap in many areas, from education, medicine to transport or leisure.

Last week, Telia signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Swedish company Ericsson for the renewal of the mobile network and the development of 5G. Over the next three years, Telia plans to upgrade a total of approximately 2,000 base stations in Lithuania with Ericsson equipment. To date, Telia uses Huawei equipment in its mobile RAN network, which will be phased out starting next year.

It is true that the interesting thing is that this 5G pilot network is built on the basis of Huawei equipment; other vendors were unable to provide the appropriate equipment.

The objective is to test how it works in real conditions.

At the request of Telia, RRT granted the company frequencies for non-commercial use and the National Center for Public Health – permits to install 13 new generation mobile base stations. Seven Telia 5G base stations operate in Vilnius – Gediminas Avenue and Saltoniškių Street, two in Kaunas – in the old town and part of Savanorių Avenue, and two more – in the old town of Klaipeda. From the beginning of December, two base stations will start operating in the Klaipėda FEZ territory.

Andrius Šemeškevičius, Telia’s CTO, says that the 5G connection will be tested not only by customers, but also by Telia itself.

“Two years ago we ran the first 5G connection tests on a real network, but at that time there were practically no devices on the market that would have allowed us to use it. Now the situation has changed dramatically and today, thousands of customers can have 5G phones and routers, and businesses can be another tool for innovation. Therefore, before buying frequencies, it is very important for us to test the operation of the equipment under various conditions, telephone and network configuration, data usage needs, ”says A. Šemeškevičius.

The first tests show that the actual mobile data download speed on the Telia 5G network is up to 1.9 Gb / s, the transmission speed is up to 200 Mb / s, and the latency is up to 10 milliseconds.

As of today, Telia operates in designated 5G areas for customers who have an unlimited mobile data plan and Sony, OnePlus, Huawei or Xiaomi smartphones or routers that support 5G technology. Other smart device manufacturers should approve their 5G phones in Lithuania in the near future.

All Telia customers who have 5G-enabled devices in Lithuania but do not have an unlimited data plan can register on the Telia website at the end of November and try unlimited 5G data until the end of this year at no additional charge.

A.Šemeškevičius stated at the new generation of communications live presentation conference that the connection of other popular brands, Samsung and Apple, to the Lithuanian 5G network depends on the will of the manufacturers of those devices and currently these manufacturers seem be waiting for Lithuania to happen. commercial launch of 5G technology, but Telia will try to convince that it is worth enabling 5G connection on 5G phones also in the experimental network: this will allow a better evaluation of the characteristics of the new network.

5G will also test business

Two 5G base stations will be built on the territory of Klaipėda FEZ located on more than 412 ha; such request was made by the company itself. There are currently more than 100 companies from 18 countries around the world.

“We are convinced that 5G is another strong tool to promote innovation and attract investment to Lithuania. Mobile robots, self-propelled vehicles and drones are probably the easiest to imagine, but with 5G, change and innovation are expected. in a wide range of other sectors, from manufacturing and logistics to trade. It is an important technology in the development of new smart services, solutions and processes. Klaipėda FEZ operates several companies from different industries, who are eager to be the first in Lithuania to test 5G technology, ”says Eimantas Kiudulas, Managing Director of Klaipėda FEZ Management Company.