The Ministry of Digital Development plans to hold the first auctions for 5G network frequencies in the 4800–4990 MHz range by the end of this year. This was announced by the head of the Ministry of Digital Development, Maksut Shadayev, at the "Telecom 2025" forum.
Discussion on the transfer of the so-called "golden range" of 3400–3800 MHz from security agencies to telecom operators has also resumed. This spectrum is considered a priority for 5G worldwide, but in Russia, it is still used by the FSB, the Ministry of Defense, and Roscosmos.
Discussion on the "golden range" has been carefully resumed. At least, they have started discussing it with us.
Shadayev noted that the "golden range" will not be presented at the upcoming auctions. If there is no demand from operators for the proposed 4800–4990 MHz spectrum, the ministry will consider alternative frequency allocation schemes.
We cannot lower the price because it is calculated according to the methodology. The current range is economically unattractive for operators.
In December 2024, the minister reported that the launch of a pilot 5G infrastructure in two Russian cities is planned for 2026. By 2030, fifth-generation networks should cover 16 cities, providing access to approximately 16–17 million subscribers.
According to the protocol of the State Commission on Radio Frequencies, the Ministry of Digital Development, together with participants in the telecom and broadcasting markets, has begun the process of transferring existing digital TV transmitters from the 694–790 MHz range to the 470–694 MHz band. The released spectrum may also be used for the development of 5G in Russia.
Read materials on the topic:
First Russian-made 5G base stations included in the register of the Ministry of Industry and Trade
Digital TV frequencies in Russia will be shifted to develop 5G
