Page 87 - SAMENA Trends - August 2019

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Russian Operators Claim European First Using mmWave Frequency for 5G

MegaFon, MTS, Beeline and Tele2 are set global profile. So far the US has shown and attract further investment to the
to run trials in Moscow this autumn ahead more interest in mmWave than Europe: the city,” said Eduard Lysenko, head of the IT
of wider launches next year. The parties frequency provides high capacity and data department of Moscow. Yulia Klebanova,
claim this will be the first 5G NR (for New rates, but less good coverage compared Vice President, Business Development,
Radio, the 3GPP global standard) mmWave to the mid-band spectrum European QUALCOMM Europe, noted, “Moscow is
(band n257) network launched in Europe operators are using. “Moscow is scheduled one of the most dynamically developing
this year. The Moscow-based project will to be the first city in Russia to deploy fully- cities in Europe. Over the next few years,
enable the testing and commercialization fledged 5G pilot zones across all telecom Moscow plans to equip business centers,
of new applications, from better fixed operators this fall. In many of the world’s stadiums, main streets, congress halls,
broadband and mobile wireless access megacities, the deployment of 5G networks railway stations and airports with high-
for private users to “unique business is restricted by mobile operators’ business capacity ultra-fast, low-latency mobile
solutions” according to a press statement needs and their access to the spectrum communications to bring a whole new level
from Qualcomm. The project is intended to frequencies needed. In our case, spectrum of services to individuals and businesses in
kickstart new 5G-enabled digital services access has been resolved at state level to the capital. “Deploying 5G networks on the
and innovation in the city, including virtual accelerate the rollout of high-capacity 5G n257 mmWave band will allow operators to
and augmented reality applications, mmWave. Also, this 5G pilot is coordinated achieve this goal in a very efficient way…
which “are set to become some of the by the Moscow City Government and, in we are working with manufacturers to
most important elements of the Russian particular, the Department of Information bring 5G mmWave technology to…devices,
capital’s digital space”. Further, it is hoped Technologies of Moscow. “We are keeping from smartphones to fixed wireless access
that it will create new jobs developing next- up with the market in building a safe and points, which will be essential to the city
generation applications and boost local reliable 5G infrastructure that will allow achieving its goal.”
high-tech industries, raising Moscow’s Moscow to create more high-paying jobs

Dhiraagu Switches on 5G in the Maldives

Dhivehi Raajjeyge Gulhun (Dhiraagu), the Maldives’ incumbent
telecoms operator, has announced the commercial launch of 5G
services. The network is currently available in Male, Villimale,
Hulhumale, Velana International Airport, Addu City, Hithadhoo,
Haa Dhaalu Atoll and Kulhudhuffushi. Customers in these
locations with 5G compatible devices will be able to access the
service with no additional data charges using their existing SIM
card. ‘Dhiraagu will continue to work with key partners in bringing
the latest technological developments to Maldives in the telecom
and digital space. Our 5G deployment has been made possible
with our close collaboration with Huawei, the leading 5G vendor,’
commented Dhiraagu’s CEO Ismail Rasheed, adding: ‘We would
like to thank Huawei for their support in delivering the equipment has enabled Dhiraagu to launch the first 5G commercial service in
and providing implementation services in a timely manner, which Maldives and South Asia.’

ER-Telecom Issued Trial 5G Spectrum

Russia’s State Commission for Radio cites an Izvestia report saying that ER- and surrounding areas, Yekaterinburg,
Frequencies (SCRF) has issued trial 5G Telecom (branded Dom.ru) may start tests Ulyanovsk, Kaliningrad and other regions.
frequencies to the country’s second in the autumn utilizing 4.8GHz-4.99GHz All Russian operators participating in
largest fixed broadband provider by and 27GHz band spectrum in ‘over 50 5G trials are expected to submit results
subscribers, cableco/fiber network experimental zones’ located in Moscow of testing to the relevant authorities by
operator ER-Telecom. Broadband TV News City, Moscow Region, St Petersburg September 2020.

87 AUGUST 2019