OREANDA-NEWS  The Ministry of Digital Affairs has proposed to the State Commission on Radio Frequencies (SCR) to consider the possibility for the "big Four" telecom operators to deploy 5G networks at existing base stations and previously allocated frequencies, as well as to receive new bands in the range of 4630-4990 MHz, the ministry said.

The Ministry of Finance has prepared such a proposal after discussion with operators and departments. It is planned to consider it at the next meeting of the SCRC.

"The Ministry of Finance proposed the conditions for the launch of 5G. The Big Four telecom operators Beeline, Megafon, MTS and T2 will be able to deploy fifth-generation networks at existing base stations and previously allocated frequencies and will receive new bands in the 4630-4990 MHz range," the ministry said in a statement on its channel in Maks.

It is noted that telecom operators will be able to use their existing bands for 5G networks, which were previously allocated to the LTE (4G) standard, and existing foreign equipment installed on the network before September 1, 2026, which will allow the network to be launched in the near future. At the same time, starting in 2027, a phased transition to Russian base stations is envisaged, which should be completed by the end of 2031.

According to the proposal of the Ministry of Finance, 5G services should be launched in cities with a population of more than 1 million people no later than December 31, 2027. Then the coverage will be rolled out in the most popular locations of cities with a population of one million in stages until 2031.

"The technology provides higher data transfer speeds, lower latency, and increased network bandwidth. Among other things, the development of fifth-generation communication networks in Russia will stimulate the production of domestic telecom equipment," commented the Ministry of Finance.