Telecom network vendor Huawei today announced it will tie-up with Russian telecoms MegaFon to build trial 5G networks in the run up to the FIFA World Cup 2018.
MegaFon was the first mobile operator in the world to offer LTE to guests and participants of the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games.
As per the MoU, Huawei will consider recommendations of MegaFon and test pilot equipment for the new 5G standard on the operator’s networks.
The 5G trials will be the first in Russia, as well as the first with plans to serve large scale users and M2M devices. The Chinese telecom network vendor will be introducing the latest mobile technologies such as SCMA, full duplex, and cloud base station to the 5G network, as well as providing testing 5G terminals in trial zones.
MegaFon has 69.1 million mobile subscribers in Russia. Mikhail Dubin, executive director of Consumer Business at MegaFon, said: “MegaFon’s strategic priority is technological leadership, so we will keep developing and rolling out new technologies to provide the best quality for our customers.”
Huawei is ahead of competition in 5G preparation. In the past years, Huawei has demonstrated its future base station with 115 Gbps of capacity.
Huawei and 5GIC recently announced the world’s first 5G testbed.
“With the help of MegaFon, we are confident of turning 5G into a reality for citizens in Russia and soccer fans around the world, two years ahead of the industry’s estimated 5G introduction date of 2020,” said Ryan Ding, president of Huawei Products and Solutions.
Huawei also announced its association with SingTel for 5G innovation program.
