Deputy PM: Delay in national goals deadline not to delay 5G launch

MOSCOW, Jul 22 (PRIME) -- Prolongation of the national goals’ deadline to 2030 will not delay introduction of 5G networks in Russia, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said on Wednesday.

“No, the deadlines of 5G launch are not delayed. There are national projects which set them, there have been no postponement,” Chernyshenko said, adding that it would be wise to get back to the matter in early autumn.

According to program Digital Economy, sustainable 5G coverage is to be provided in 10 largest cities by 2022 and in the cities with more than 1 million people by 2024.

Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev told reporters that the ministry’s main task is to launch 5G as soon as possible according to the decisions made on the priority ranges of frequencies allocated for 5G.

“We’ve decided on the priority bands and are discussing how much conversion of the frequencies for 5G will cost us,” the minister said.

The best range for 5G is 3.4–3.8 GHz, but it is taken in Russia by the military. The country’s operators are testing the ranges of 25.25–27.50 GHz and 4.9 GHz, which can be used only as an addition to the main band.

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