Russia launches commercial 5G networks in 16 cities

Russia has launched commercial fifth-generation mobile networks for the first time, with 5G services initially available in 16 cities and providing about 10 million people with access to high-speed mobile internet, according to Russian media reports citing data from the Ministry of Digital Development.

The rollout covers Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, where all four major operators — MTS, T2, Beeline and Megafon — are offering 5G services.

In Novosibirsk and Kazan, the service is available through Megafon and MTS, while Beeline and Megafon are providing 5G in Samara.

Megafon is offering the service in Veliky Novgorod, Krasnodar, Nizhny Novgorod and Tver. T2 has launched 5G in Volgograd, Krasnoyarsk, Perm and Chelyabinsk, while MTS is providing the service in Ufa and Beeline in Yaroslavl.

The ministry said that, in the immediate future, all users with Android devices in the 16 cities will be able to access the new services.

Access for iPhone users will depend on a decision by Apple.

The ministry said Russia plans to expand 5G mobile connectivity to another 50 cities by the end of the year.

By Tamilla Hasanova