Telia’s 5G network will be available at Klaipeda FEZ in December

Telecommunications company Telia is launching the next-generation 5G mobile network in Lithuania: 11 base stations of the new technology are already operating at the city centres of Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda, while two more 5G stations will be launched in the Klaipėda Free Economic Zone (FEZ) in early December. Frequencies for testing the technology provided by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Lithuania (RRT) are used for non-commercial 5G communication service.

 “In 2018, we were one of the first ones in Europe to test 5G technology in live network in Vilnius. Today, 5G connection is taking the second step in Lithuania – we are launching 13 base stations, which will allow people and companies to evaluate the key advantages of 5G, and the impressive speed of mobile Internet first of all, for themselves at no extra cost,” says Dan Strömberg, CEO of Telia.

According to Dan Strömberg, the next generation of mobile networks will promote the development of a sustainable digital society and provide a leap in quality in many areas, from education, medicine to transport or leisure.

Telia will start providing commercial next-generation 5G mobile communication services in Lithuania after RRT announces official terms and conditions therefor after the 5G frequency auction, which is expected to take place next year.

At the request of Telia, RRT provided the company with non-commercial frequencies, and the National Public Health Center – with permits to install 13 next-generation mobile base stations. Seven non-commercial Telia 5G base stations operate in Vilnius – Gediminas Avenue and Saltoniškių Street, two stations are in Kaunas, in the Old Town and a part of Savanorių Avenue, another two base stations are operating in the Old Town of Klaipėda. In early December, two base stations will be launched in the territory of Klaipėda FEZ.

The first tests have shown that real mobile data download speed in Telia 5G network is up to 1.9 Gb/s, upload reaches up to 200 Mb/s, and latency is up to 10 milliseconds.

Two 5G base stations will also be built in the territory of Klaipėda FEZ, which occupies more than 412 ha. The company managing the FEZ was the one to contact Telia with such a request. There are more than 100 companies from 18 countries of the world currently working there.

“We are convinced that 5G is another strong tool for promoting innovation and attracting investment to Lithuania. Mobile robots, autonomous vehicles, drones – 5G is expected to bring changes in various sectors, from manufacturing and logistics to trade. It is a very significant technology for creating new smart services, solutions, and processes. Companies from many different industries work in Klaipėda FEZ, which are eager to be the first in Lithuania to test 5G technology,” says Eimantas Kiudulas, CEO of Klaipėda FEZ.