5G to Launch in Russian Million-City Centers by 2027
Operators of communications networks will be able to use existing frequency bands for 5G networks that were previously allocated for the LTE (4G) standard, as well as existing foreign equipment installed on the network before September 1, 2026.
Consensus
- 5G services are expected to be launched in Russian cities with over one million residents by no later than December 31, 2027.
- Operators 'Bilayn', 'MegaFon', MTS, and T2 will be allowed to use existing LTE frequency bands for 5G deployment.
- Operators may use foreign equipment installed before September 1, 2026.
- A phased transition to Russian base stations is planned, to be completed by the end of 2031.
- New frequency bands in the range of 4.63–4.99 GHz will be allocated to operators.
- The rollout will initially focus on the most popular urban locations in major cities, with coverage expanded gradually until 2031.
- The proposal has been prepared by the Ministry of Digital Development (Mintsifry) and is scheduled for review by the State Commission on Radio Frequencies (GKRFCh).
Points of divergence
- The Russian frequency band 4.63–4.99 ГГц supports only 5% to 20% of devices, according to operator estimates. — tvrain
- Russia's 5G deployment will be seven years behind global standards, as commercial 5G networks launched worldwide in 2019. — tvrain
- The total investment required for 5G infrastructure in Russia by 2036 is expected to exceed 335 billion rubles, resulting in an overall loss of 84 billion rubles for operators by 2036. — tvrain
- Operators will be allowed to use foreign equipment in the 4.8–4.99 GHz band until January 1, 2029, after which only domestic equipment will be permitted. — kommerst
- Operators will be required to increase the share of Russian base stations from 1% in 2027 to 100% by 2031. — kommerst
- Operators will receive 90 MHz of free bandwidth in the 4.63–4.99 GHZ range. — kommerst
- Operators will not need to re-conduct electromagnetic compatibility assessments when transitioning from LTE to 5G in previously allocated bands. — kommerst
- 5G will initially be deployed only in the most popular locations within million-city centers, with rollout proceeding gradually until 2031. — tg_mosguru
Coverage (9 sources)
- 5G connectivity will appear in Russian million-population cities by the end of 2027 — Ведомости
- By the end of 2027, 5G connectivity should appear in Russian million-population cities — Дождь
- By the end of 2027, 5G connectivity should appear in Russian million-population cities — Дождь (Telegram)
- 5G communication standard must appear in the Russian Federation no later than December 31, 2027, reported by the Ministry of Digital Development. — ТАСС (Telegram)
- In Mincyfry proposed conditions for launching 5G. In major cities the service may appear by the end of 2027 — Фонтанка
- 5G in Russia will appear seven years later than in the world — Коммерсантъ
- In Mincyfry named the deadlines for launching the 5G network in major cities of Russia — Вести
- 5G will start operation in Russia no later than the end of 2027, reported by the Ministry of Digital Development. — Первый Московский
- Ministry of Digital Development: 5G will appear in Russia within the next five years — Вечерняя Москва