In Skolkovo, the official launch of a pilot network of the 5G standard took place, in which for the first time domestic equipment and software were used.

This was reported by the press service of the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech).

The new MTS Skoltech network standard assumes data transfer rates many times higher than 4G (up to 10 Gbps) and operates in the 4.9 GHz band.

“The uniqueness of the network is that it works using domestic software and equipment.

Further technology

can be extended to the whole of Moscow, and then to the whole country, ”said Dmitry Lakontsev, head of the Skoltech-based NTI Competence Center for wireless communications and the Internet of Things, in an interview with RT.

Before the massive introduction of this technology, the project will serve as a pilot site for research and testing of developments in the field of communications and the creation of promising domestic services.

  • Installation of equipment for 5G networks

  • Reuters

  • © Adrees Latif

The developed software solution using the OpenRAN architecture (assumes the ability to use software and components from different manufacturers) allows you not to be tied to Western equipment suppliers.

The operating base station already uses the most important components of Russian production, in particular antennas.

The 5G standard will be used not only to provide communication for subscribers, but also for industrial purposes, according to Skoltech.

“These will be robotic platforms and various manipulators connected to the 5G network.

Not just a person with a smartphone will work in it, but, for example, a robot.

This is the Internet of Things for companies, "Dmitry Lakontsev said in an interview with RT.

According to the specialist and his colleagues, in the future it is planned to expand the 5G coverage area and begin testing domestic equipment and software with subscriber devices.

Recall that the operator MTS has already tested 5G technology in 2019 in various regions of Russia.

In November 2019, a fifth-generation pilot zone in Skolkovo, together with Huawei, was opened by Beeline.

However, domestic software and components were not used at that time.

As noted by the developers, serial domestic software will be used in 5G networks in two years.

“Completely domestic serial equipment, which will be used on a par with foreign ones, will appear at the end of 2022.

It will be a base station, which will be manufactured in Russia and have completely domestic software, ”Lakontsev summed up.