The Russian Ministry of Digital Development has proposed allowing operators of the "Big Four" — Beeline, MegaFon, MTS, and T2 — to deploy fifth-generation networks on existing base stations and frequencies previously allocated for LTE, as well as allocating them the new 4,630–4,990 MHz band. The ministry prepared the corresponding proposal for the State Commission on Radio Frequencies (SCRF) after consultations with operators and relevant structures; the document is planned to be considered at the commission's nearest meeting. According to media reports, the actual allocation of frequencies in the 4.63–4.99 GHz band may occur as early as late June.
Principle of Technological Neutrality
A key part of the proposal is the principle of technological neutrality. Operators will be allowed to use for 5G the frequency bands currently assigned to LTE (4G), as well as foreign equipment installed on networks before September 1, 2026. This approach allows the launch of fifth-generation services without waiting for mass deliveries of new hardware — the network will essentially operate on top of the current infrastructure.
New Frequencies and Transition to Russian Equipment
The 4.63–4.99 GHz band will give operators the opportunity to build more productive networks and deploy services for industry — from remote equipment control to real-time systems. Simultaneously, starting from 2027, a phased transition to domestic base stations will begin: it is planned to be completed by the end of 2031. Judging by the draft SCRF decision, the share of Russian equipment in networks should be at least 1% by the end of 2027 and at least 50% by 2030.
When and Where 5G Will Appear
According to the Ministry of Digital Development's proposal, fifth-generation communication should be operational in cities with a population of over 1 million people no later than December 31, 2027. Subsequently, coverage in the new frequency band will expand in the most in-demand locations of million-plus cities step by step — up until 2031. A more detailed schedule from the SCRF draft looks like this:
by the end of 2026 — the first four regional centers
by 2027 — 16 cities
by 2030 — 40 cities
by 2035 — 84 cities
The Icon on the Screen Will Appear Before the Speed
A formal 5G launch does not mean an instant speed increase. Operators currently do not have a sufficient volume of equipment for full-fledged operation in the 4.63–4.99 GHz band, so in the first stage, networks will operate in a technologically neutral mode on top of existing infrastructure — the so-called 5G Ready mode. It provides only a symbolic improvement in speed and latency, although users may well see the 5G icon on their smartphones.
Real acceleration — 4–10 times compared to LTE — will become noticeable only after the introduction of the new band with corresponding equipment, the mass production of which is still only being planned. The 4.63–4.99 GHz band itself is physically not the most convenient: the signal attenuates quickly and poorly penetrates walls, which requires a denser network of base stations and additional costs. Furthermore, some smartphones do not support this band or block it at the firmware level.
The Long Road to a Frequency Decision
Back in January 2026, Beeline was denied frequency allocation even for a test 5G network in the Moscow Metro — similar refusals were previously received by MTS and MegaFon. Technologically, all four operators were ready for launch; the issue rested on regulatory and frequency decisions, as well as the requirement for priority use of domestic equipment, which is currently insufficient. The CEO of VimpelCom estimated the timeline for full-scale 5G implementation as 2028–2029.
The reason for the prolonged wait — since 2018, the Ministry of Defense has blocked access to the so-called "golden band" of 3.4–3.8 GHz, which the rest of the world uses as the foundation for 5G. As a result, Russia found itself in the company of China, whose 4.8–5.0 GHz band significantly overlaps with the Russian one — meaning Chinese equipment from Huawei and ZTE is technically applicable here as an interim solution.
The frequency issue for civilian operators has for the first time received specific deadlines. However, the actual quality of communication will be determined not by the date of band allocation, but by the pace of equipment deliveries and the fulfillment of the localization production plan.
The SCRF decision sets a clear calendar for operators — from new frequencies and technological neutrality to the transition to Russian "hardware" by 2031. How smoothly this transition will proceed will be shown in the coming years, as equipment for the 4.63–4.99 GHz band begins to arrive in networks.
AI Opinion
From a technical architecture standpoint, the technological neutrality scheme is not a Russian invention — operators in Switzerland, India, Canada, and Poland used a similar mechanism of dynamic spectrum allocation between LTE and 5G back in 2019–2021, when spectrum shortages and the pandemic delayed traditional auctions. Experience has shown: combining two standards on one band reduces throughput to a quarter of the maximum, and a noticeable speed increase appears only with the arrival of dedicated equipment — the same logic is embedded in the transition from the "5G Ready" mode to the 4.63–4.99 GHz band.
An additional risk lies outside the regulatory plane: even with timely delivery of base stations, the pace of transition will be limited by the smartphone fleet, whose modems must support the specific 4.63–4.99 GHz band — a band that does not align with the main 5G bands in Europe and the US. Whether global chip manufacturers will want to incorporate support for this band for a single market, or whether users will have to settle for a limited range of compatible devices — is a question that will be decided not by the regulator, but by the smartphone market.
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