Russia Permits 5G Deployment on Existing 4G Infrastructure and Frequencies
The Russian Ministry of Digital Development has submitted a draft decision to the State Commission on Radio Frequencies that grants technological neutrality to mobile operators. Under the new rules, Beeline, Megafon, MTS and Tele2 will be permitted to deploy 5G networks on existing LTE base stations and frequencies previously allocated for 4G.
The policy allows operators to use currently installed foreign equipment provided it was deployed before 1 September 2026. This approach removes the need to build a completely new radio access network from scratch and enables faster commercial launch of fifth-generation services.
In addition, new spectrum blocks in the 4.63-4.99 GHz range will be assigned for high-performance 5G networks and industrial applications. These frequencies support high data rates but propagate over shorter distances and penetrate obstacles less effectively than lower bands.
First commercial 5G services must be available in all Russian cities with populations exceeding one million no later than 31 December 2027. Between 2027 and 2031 operators will progressively expand coverage in city centers, business districts and high-traffic locations before extending to other areas.
Simultaneously, a phased transition to Russian-made base stations will begin in 2027 and must be completed by the end of 2031. The overall strategy therefore combines immediate use of existing infrastructure with a long-term requirement for domestic equipment.
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