Orange to launch a 5G network in 2020-22

The mobile phone operator Orange wants to launch a 5G network in Slovakia in 2020-22. The network will provide high connection speeds, between 100-1,000 Mbit/s. It plans to invest hundreds of millions of euros into the new system. At the moment, though, there are no devices supporting 5G networks, and no frequencies available, as they are used by Towercom to broadcast TV and radio signals. The government promises to help operators obtain the frequencies. Deputy PM Peter Pellegrini (Smer) wants the government to give the frequencies to operators at relatively low costs so as to improve the country’s competitiveness. The four operators have paid €164m in total for their 4G frequencies.

It seems likely all four operators will cooperate in building the new 5G network. The network will require a much larger number of base stations than 3G and 4G networks, and the operators are likely to share them.

(zive.sk)