Huawei and Russian operator MegaFon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the development of 5G technology with a view to a potential launch in time for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The MoU builds on a partnership between the two companies that stretches back to the deployment of GSM in 2002. The MoU is likely to mean 5G services could become available to participants and guests at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and as part of the MoU, the two companies will work together to plan, build and deploy 5G network infrastructure.
Another by-product of the MoU is the creation of a team to conduct 5G trials ahead of the global football event. A 5G test area will be set up and pilot projects targeted to be complete by the end of June 2017 and it is hoped that this will then lead to the creation of a 5G network ahead of the games the following summer. According to a statement, the MoU will see Huawei introduce
the latest mobile technologies such as SCMA, full-duplex, and cloud base station into the 5G network, as well as providing testing 5G terminals in trial zones.
Ryan Ding, President of Huawei Products & Solutions, said:
With the help of MegaFon, we are confident of turning science-fiction-like service into 5G reality for citizens in Russia and soccer fans around the world, two years ahead of the industry’s estimated 5G introduction date of 2020.
5G technology is yet to be standardised but with Japanese Operator NTT DoCoMo already in contention to have 5G up and running ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games and rival companies including ZTE heavily stacked in 5G deployment and testing, it is hoped that 5G will be standardised in time for a rollout two years ahead of the 2020 projected launch date.
Hey, I'm Nirave - based out of London, I'm the European Editor for FoneArena. I love travelling and can usually be found reading, playing with the latest tech or writing about travel and tech.