The telecom operator Rostelecom has submitted two applications to the State Commission for Radio Frequencies for testing the 5G network in the metro of Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kazan, Izvestia reported, citing the materials of the commission.
The operator expects to conduct the experiment at ground stations in all three cities, as well as on the Moscow metro’s underground Koltsevaya line. Rostelecom is asking for a frequency range of 3.3-3.4 GHz and 3.8-4.1 GHz (for ground facilities), as well as 3.4-3.8 GHz (for underground stations).
Frequencies 3.4-3.8 GHz are the most common band for fifth generation networks worldwide. They are not yet available to Russian operators, as they are used by the Ministry of Defense and Roskosmos, Deputy Prime Minister Maxim Akimov said in 2019. In March 2021, Vedomosti reported that Freshtel, a provider owned by Rostelecom, had already applied to test 5G in the Moscow metro using disputed frequencies.
On the eve of the Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Maksut Shadayev spoke about the discussion in Russia of the option of providing free frequencies to operators for 5G. In December, it was reported that the State Commission on Radio Frequencies was considering expanding the range for 5G networks in million-plus cities.
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