Telia uses new spectrum to boost 5G coverage to 80% of Lithuanians

Telia Lithuania has announced the launch of 5G services using its recently acquired spectrum in the 700MHz and 3.5GHz bands. The firm has operated a 2100MHz 5G network in the capital Vilnius since the start of the year, but the company has now switched on 1,100 base stations in the 700MHz band and 110 in the 3.5GHz band. As such, Telia’s combined 5G network is able to reach 65% of the country’s territory and 80% of the population. Further rollout is planned next year, with a primary focus on the north-eastern part of Lithuania, where Ericsson network equipment is being rolled out to update and modernise all base stations. Telia is aiming to increase 5G coverage to 99% by the middle of summer 2023. The 3.5GHz service covers densely populated areas and can reach maximum speeds of up to 2Gbps, while the 700MHz band network has slower speeds but covers a much wider area.

As previously reported by CommsUpdate, Telia paid EUR23 million (USD22.2 million) for one 2×10MHz block of 700MHz spectrum and EUR7 million for 100MHz of 3.5GHz spectrum at auction last month. The licences are valid for 20 years.