Finnish mobile network operator Telia Finland has claimed that its infrastructure is now ready for the upcoming introduction of 5G services, and that it has opened a pre-commercial 5G network in the heart of the capital, Helsinki.
Announcing the development, Telia claimed that it now has the necessary components in place ahead of a commercial launch of 5G, from 3GPP specification-based radio access to high capacity IP networks and a virtualised core network. With Telia currently utilising test frequencies granted by local regulator the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (Viestintavirasto, FICORA) at its first base stations in the capital, it has suggested a commercial launch will be forthcoming in early 2019, once the planned auction of 5G-suitable spectrum in the 3.5GHz band has been completed. In the interim, the cellco has said it intends to start the first phase of expanding its 5G-ready infrastructure during the autumn of 2018.