Telenor Norway has launched commercial 5G in nine locations across the country.
First available in Trondheim - the first Norwegian metropolis equipped with the 5G mobile network the new service was launched via a virtual video conference to limit the risk of the Coronavirus.
This is a special day that we have been looking forward to for a long time. We opened the first 5G pilot as early as 2018 and have always been committed to experimenting, exploring and learning as much as possible,” said Petter-Børre Furberg, CEO of Telenor Norway.
“Today we not only open the 5G network in Trondheim, we also open the first commercial 5G network in Norway. The mobile network of the future is here.”
Furberg added the new network would also be available in other places is had completed testing and where a 5G unit is available.
“We now make 5G commercially available wherever we have conducted testing so far. Starting today,” he said.
“Telenor customers with a 5G unit will be able to connect to the future mobile networks in Kongsberg, Elverum, Bodø, Askvoll, Fornebu, Kvitfjell, Longyearbyen and Spikersuppa in Oslo, as well as Trondheim.”
The Trondheim network consists of 38 5G base stations that will increase to 139 during the course of 2019. In addition, 87 of its base stations in the city have been upgraded with the latest technology in partnership with Ericsson.
Looking ahead Telenor will start the development of 5G in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger and Sandnes during 2020, while beyond that its existing 5G networks in Trondheim, Kongsberg and Bodø will be expanded.
“During 2021, we will both upgrade nearly 2000 base stations and a total of 8500 base stations will be upgraded within 4-5 years. We have ambitions that Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger and Sandnes as well as other selected areas will be connected on the future of mobile networks during the year,” added Furberg.
Source: https://www.capacitymedia.com/articles/3825111/telenor-launches-commercial-5g-in-norway