Russia’s spectrum authority has granted MegaFon and Rostelecom access to 5G-capable spectrum in order to conduct joint trials of the technology.
The operators have formed a joint venture, New Digital Solutions, which has been granted spectrum in the 24.65GHz to 27.5GHz bands by the Russian State Commission on Radio Frequencies (SCRF).
Additionally, the research institute Federal State Unitary Enterprise NIIR will be allocated spectrum in order to carry out its own 5G trials. ComNews.ru reported that the move is likely linked to the Russian state’s push for locally developed 5G equipment.
In addition to the announced allocations, the SCRF has reserved 400MHz of mmWave spectrum for an unspecified number of recipients to trial the technology. The Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media noted that it wants operators to gain a greater understanding of the spectrum’s potential 5G applications.
The SCRF has opted to push back Russia’s first round of 5G auctions after feedback indicated that issuing spectrum in lots was too inefficient.
