CEO: Rostelecom may give 3.4–3.8 GHz band used by WiMAX for 5G

SOCHI, Oct 21 (PRIME) -- Russian state-controlled telecom operator Rostelecom could hand over the rights for 5G frequencies in the 3.4–3.8 GHz range, currently used for Internet access via WiMAX, to its joint venture with mobile operator MegaFon, Rostelecom President Mikhail Oseyevsky told reporters late on October 18.

“We and MegaFon are carrying operations related to a potential option of contributing the rights for these frequencies. Perhaps, it’s even more on our side because we have firms that work on technology WiMAX,” Oseyevsky said.

These WiMAX operators have many clients. “This is why we have a track how to service these clients in another way, where to transfer them to hand over the rights for the frequencies. According to our plan, we’ll be ready to do it by a certain moment,” he said.

Rostelecom and MegaFon have teamed up with law enforcement entities to research the influence of 5G networks on satellite connection, Oseyevsky said, adding that the work is financed by Rostelecom and MegaFon, and if mobile operators MTS and VimpelCom come to the joint venture, they will have to compensate their share.

The 3.4–3.8 GHz band is the best for 5G, but in Russia, the resource is occupied mainly by the military, who are reluctant to share it.

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