The quality of communication in Russia will deteriorate no later than 10 years later, if operators are not allocated new frequencies for the development of fifth generation mobile communications (5G), said the general director of Megafon Khachatur Pombukhchan.
“If a normal 5G standard does not appear in our metropolitan areas for some meaningful time, the quality of the usual mobile user experience will begin to degrade,” he said in an interview with RBC. “I don’t like to make forecasts, but this is less than ten years,” the businessman added.
Pombukhchan explained that the population density in Russian agglomerations is increasing with a simultaneous increase in the volume of data consumption by about 40-50% per year. In addition, content units are getting “heavier,” he added, citing videos that grow in size as phone screens expand, and apps that constantly update and transmit data.
“The standard can support a certain population density with a certain traffic volume. Mobile operators are forced to increase the number of base stations in order to reduce the coverage area of each and achieve acceptable quality on it. It works for a while, then it becomes ineffective, “the head of Megafon said, explaining that it is too expensive and difficult in terms of maintaining the transport backbone infrastructure.
On June 30, Rostec announced that the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media will provide it with a subsidy in the amount of 21.4 billion rubles. until 2024 for the development of 5G communication technologies. It is assumed that he will create a cooperation of Russian companies that have the appropriate experience and competencies. A site for serial production of equipment for 5G networks will also be prepared.
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