Telecom operator VEON announced Beeline has launched 5G network trial in Shymkent, Kazakhstan.

The network architecture is aligned with the latest 5G release (NSA 3X) and allows 5G devices to aggregate LTE and 5G radio channels to achieve higher download speeds. Initial speed tests, using the 3.7 GHz band, show a downlink speed of 1.0GB per second.

The 5G trial spreads over 13 square kilometres, allowing Beeline to test fixed wireless and mobile use cases in real-life conditions, including robotics for industry applications and virtual reality experiences such as gaming and 360-degree TV streaming. The trial is being led by KaR-Tel in partnership with Nokia.

Yogesh Malik, chief technology officer of VEON, said: “Our 5G trial in Kazakhstan is a sign that VEON is embracing a 5G future that provides customers with cutting-edge technology to empower their personal or business ambitions.”

KaR-Tel has invested in network modernization and the expansion of coverage in order to have 5G-ready infrastructure in Kazakhstan.