Development of 5G networks in Belarus

Cellular communications (Belarusian market)

Main article: Cellular communications (Belarusian market)

2025: President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree on the construction of a 5G network in the country

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree on the construction of a fifth generation communication network (5G) on the territory of the republic. Document No. 139, approved on April 1, 2025, launches the implementation of an investment project to create a telecommunications infrastructure of the IMT-2020 standard. The initiative is aimed at developing a modern digital environment and introducing advanced information and communication technologies in the interests of the state, business and the population.

According to the press service of the Ministry of Communications and Information of Belarus, the President supported the implementation of the project according to the model of a single infrastructure operator. This involves the creation of a single network using IMT-2020 (5G) technology with the inclusion of the existing cellular mobile telecommunication network using LTE (4G) technology.

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Фото: Bloomberg

Belarus already has a positive experience in implementing LTE (4G) technology according to the model of an infrastructure operator represented by Belarusian Cloud Technologies LLC (beCloud trademark). During the implementation of this project, significant results were achieved - coverage of cellular mobile telecommunication services using LTE (4G) technology was provided on 93.8% of the territory of the republic, where 99.2% of the population lives.

By April 2025, more than 70% of all mobile traffic in the country falls on the LTE (4G) network, which indicates the high popularity of this technology among mobile users.

The new project provides for phased coverage of the country's territory by a single network during 2025-2034. Each of the stages includes a gradual increase in the coverage of the territory and population of Belarus by a single network. As a result of the implementation of all stages of the project, LTE (4G) coverage will account for 99% of the country's territory, and IMT-2020 (5G) coverage will be provided in the territory where 99% of the population lives.^[1]

2024: Russian Irteya agreed to supply 5G equipment for export

Irteya, a subsidiary of MTS, has announced the supply of domestic 5G base stations to Belarus. For the manufacturer, this will be the first export contract. Read more here

2020

5G call made in Belarus

On May 25, 2020, it became known that a 5G call was made in Belarus.

The call was made possible by the introduction and testing of VoNR (VoiceoverNew Radio) technology, which serves for high definition packet voice transmission in 5G. Read more here.

A1 deployed the first autonomous 5G network in Belarus

On May 22, 2020, it became known that A1 launched the 5G SA (Standalone) network in test mode. This is the first full-fledged 5G network in Belarus, built on the basis of autonomous architecture. Read more here.

2017: 5G plans

According to the "Set of measures for the implementation of the Program of Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Belarus for 2016-2020," plans for the introduction of fifth-generation networks (5G) will be formulated only by the first half^[2] 2019^[3]

The package of measures is approved by the resolution of Council of ministers of Republic of Belarus No. 18. Paragraph 158 says that in the first half of 2019, it is planned to approve "an action plan for the introduction of fifth-generation cellular mobile telecommunications (5G) and pilot zones, taking into account the adoption of the relevant standard by the International Telecommunication Union."

The plan also envisages the further development of LTE networks throughout the republic in the next five years. Broadband access also did not go unnoticed: it is planned to commission about 10 thousand kilometers of fiber-optic communication lines brought directly to the consumer.

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