Report: Main work to clear frequency spectrum for 5G to take 2.5 yrs

MOSCOW, Apr 30 (PRIME) -- The discussion of frequency spectrum clearance for 5G in Russia with President Vladimir Putin has been positive, and the bulk of work on the matter will take up to two and a half years, Deputy Prime Minister Maxim Akimov said late Monday in a broadcast of television channel Rossiya 24.

“As to 5G, everything will depend on how we’ll deal with a sophisticated problem of clearance of a frequency spectrum, the conversion of a band for the network in the most advantageous segment. There was a very positive talk with the head of state, who is deeply involved in the agenda,” Akimov said.

Problems were alike in the creation of previous generations of connection and were solved with support of the president, he said.

The country has not chosen a model of development for 5G. Operators like most the band of 3.4–3.8 GHz, which is currently exploited by mainly military and special forces. Media reported in early April that Putin had ordered the Security Council to consider the matter of using the frequency range in question for 5G.

Akimov said, “We very much expect to do the main part of clearance of the spectrum in the nearest two or two and a half years.”

The format could be implemented in some cities in the same period. “In the biggest cities, where connection density should be at the highest, we’ll start unrolling 5G networks,” he said.

Separately, Akimov said that Russia will remain the leader of the digital agenda in 10 years.

“Maybe not in all industries, because none of the countries can dominate everywhere, but we’re already proud of our achievements in applied mathematics and in the theoretical part and in progress of various spheres of digital business. But technologically, it’s impossible to predict it practically,” he said.

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