After long deliberation, Russian experts settled on 5G frequency allocations. The press reports that the power band from 4.4 to 4.99 GHz will be used for urban and high-density areas across the Russian Federation to support next‑generation mobile networks, according to the updated Radio Frequency Band Allocation Table (RFBAT).
Government approval came at the end of January 2024. The document stresses that this frequency range is intended to advance communications networks built on emerging technologies, including 5G and future 6G concepts.
An unnamed frequency-planning analyst for cellular networks noted that the 4.4–4.99 GHz band will be allocated to mobile operators through this framework, enabling more structured access to the spectrum.
However, substantial work lies ahead. Authorities and industry players must reconfigure the radio spectrum to remove equipment incompatible with cellular services. They must also establish allocation procedures, including rules for bidding and awarding spectrum to any given company.
The release indicates that implementing 5G remains a priority within the Communications Sector Development Strategy, and talks are ongoing with operators and relevant ministries to select a preferred band.
Leonid Konik, a partner at ComNews Research, welcomed the move as a positive signal, noting that currently only a fraction of the spectrum is allocated to specific operators. He remarked that about 10% of the spectrum is earmarked for particular operators at present.
The expert added that roughly 80% of the spectrum is shared with government agencies, with the state enjoying preferential access in many cases.
TelecomDaily CEO Denis Kuskov highlighted the government’s seriousness about implementing 5G by the end of the decade, citing the formal designation of the band for fifth-generation networks as a key document guiding the industry.
Megafon representatives cautioned that launching 5G could take more than a year, while Tele2 pointed out that building networks in the 4.4–4.99 GHz band would require higher costs compared with the 3.4–3.8 GHz range.
VimpelCom staff observed that domestic equipment compatible with the proposed frequencies has yet to be fully developed, and a source in the communications market noted that extending 5G into border regions would require coordination with neighboring states.
Earlier discussions in the Council of Ministers outlined provisional timelines for 5G rollout, reflecting ongoing debates about spectrum deployment and cross-border cooperation.