Telekom Slovenije collaborates with Ericsson to launch commercial 5G in Slovenia
On July 23, Ericsson and Slovenian Telecommunications provider Telekom Slovenije launched the first commercial 5G in Slovenia. Initially, the 5G services cover an estimated 25% of the population through 150 stations installed by Telekom Slovenije. However, the company aims to increase its 5G coverage to 33% of the population by the end of 2020, according to the Ericsson press release published on August 12, 2020.
“Working together, we will harness our unique ability to roll out 5G quickly in Slovenia and give a third of the entire population access to 5G already by the end of the year, said Arun Bansal, President of Europe and Latin America, Ericsson.
The Slovenian 5G market is crucial for Ericsson, as it has enabled the Swedish company to secure its 100th commercial 5G agreement or contract. Under this partnership, Ericsson will supply Telekom Slovenije with RAN and Packet Core Solutions, states ET Telecoms. This will enable spectrum sharing between 4G and 5G on the 2600 MHz FDD spectrum.
“Upgrading our existing 4G networks to 5G puts Slovenia on the map of the most digitally advanced countries. With opportunities for new ICT solutions, services and business models, we have started an evolutionary upgrade of existing mobile technology based on secure standards that we have mastered with our business partners and providers like Ericsson”, said Matjaž Beričič, Management Board member and Chief Technology Officer, Telekom Slovenije.
According to Total Slovenia News, the Slovenian Foreign Ministry announced on August 6, 2020, that the Minister Anže Logar and US State Secretary Mike Pompeo are expected to sign a joint Declaration on 5G security. This statement will impose limits on Huawei’s involvement in the deployment of a 5G network in Slovenia.
Back to August 3, 3020, the Slovenian’s telecommunications regulator, AKOS, said in a statement that it has published a memorandum with draft terms and conditions for the tenders for awarding frequencies in the 700 MHz, 1500 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHZ, 3600 MHz and 26 GHz bands.