Telia launches 5G in Vilnius using 2100MHz spectrum

Having tested 5G technology in Lithuania for three years, Telia Lietuva has announced the launch of services using its existing commercial frequencies in the 2100MHz band. A total of 20 base stations have started operating in the Vilnius districts of Antakalnis, Sauletekis and Naujoji Vilnia. The firm has deployed Dynamic Spectrum Sharing technology, which allows the same frequency band to be used in parallel for both 4G and 5G connection.

The move comes ahead of the long-awaited auction for spectrum in the 700MHz band which is expected to take place in the next few months. Telia has been testing non-commercial frequencies granted by the Communications Regulatory Authority (RRT) since December 2018. Starting from November 2020, private and business customers were also able to trial the network free of charge in Vilnius, Kaunas, Raseiniai and Klaipeda. Customers can use Telia’s 5G networks on both commercial (2100MHz) and test (3.5GHz) frequencies at over 110 base stations at no additional charge, but they require an unlimited data plan and a device that supports 5G, such as the latest Asus, Huawei, Nokia, OnePlus, Sony, Xiaomi smartphones, and Huawei and ZTE modems.

‘We are entering a new stage of development of 5G networks in Lithuania. This is an important signal both to consumers and equipment manufacturers – 5G technology is becoming increasingly more mature in Lithuania. Certainly when adding additional commercial frequencies for 5G technology, we will be able to offer 5G services to an even larger group of users with even more devices,’ said Dan Stromberg, CEO of Telia Lietuva.