Beeline is the first among mobile operators to install Russian LTE base stations

On July 20, 2023, it became known that VimpelCom was the first among mobile operators to begin installing Russian LTE base stations. It is assumed that such equipment will help the telecommunications company provide communication to subscribers in rural areas and on highways.

Vladimir Valkovich, director of strategy and long-term planning for the development of the Beeline network, told Vedomosti about this project. He did not name the company from which VimpelCom decided to purchase base stations. According to the publication, we are talking about the equipment of the "KNS group" (Yadro).

VimpelCom begins to install Russian LTE base stations

By July 20, 2023, MegaFon is already testing equipment and software from Yadro in different conditions, a representative of the operator told the newspaper, without specifying details. According to Alexander Sivolobov, deputy head of the NTI Competence Center based on Skoltech for wireless communications and Internet of Things technologies, Yadro will provide Bilain with its testing equipment. Skoltech base stations are undergoing laboratory tests by July 20, 2023 and field tests will begin in the near future, says Alexander Sivolobov. Skoltech conducts tests with two mobile operators, but does not disclose them.

Testing the operability of base stations will be held in the Leningrad or Nizhny Novgorod regions. In this case, the network will be as close as possible to real conditions, including the creation of load traffic and emergencies. The equipment installed in the network will be activated in the fall of 2023.

By July 2023, forward contracts are in effect, under which the Big Four operators undertake to purchase 75 thousand Russian base stations worth more than 100 billion rubles until 2030. The equipment will begin to be put into commercial operation in 2025, and from 2028 it will be possible to use only Russian-made base stations.^[1]

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