Super-Fast 5G Internet Enters Europe Starting From This Country

The Memorandum of Understanding signed by TIM and the Government of the Republic of San Marino kicked off the operational phase of the project on the launch of the nationwide 5G coverage. The first "small cells" will be installed in the principal streets and piazzas of the historical center of San Marino. The network will also focus on health care, robotics and public transport.

Works to increase the power of the infrastructure will begin by the end of 2017, and testing of the 5G service will start within the next year, according to the Italian telecommunications company.

"We are among the first in the world to invest in the development of new ultrabroadband networks: they are the future, fast connections and the development of the city," Head of Technology at TIM Giovanni Ferigo stated, adding that the agreement allows them "to create the First 5G State in the World, projecting the Republic of San Marino into the future ahead of countries such as Japan and South Korea, which have always led the way in technological innovation."

The enclaved microstate surrounded by Italy was chosen as a platform for new network testing due to its geographical features and smaller number of legal and administrative obstacles in regulations governing the use of radio-frequency spectrum. "The particular geographical shape of this territory and the distribution of its industries favor the use and development of innovative technologies," Telecom Italia said.

The 5th generation standards are expected to provide wireless internet speeds that are as much as 40 times as fast as 4G. In addition to providing faster speeds, the 5G networks are also expected to meet new use cases, such as broadcast-like services and lifeline communication in times of natural disaster, according to The Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance, a Frankfurt-based mobile telecommunications association of mobile operators, vendors, manufacturers and research institutes.

Although there are no global standards for 5G deployment yet, the 5G arms race is underway around the world. Russia's MTS, Megafon and Tele2 are among the European telecommunications companies that aim to fast-track 5G deployment and introduce it in time for the 2018 World Cup. In 2016, MTS that cooperates with Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung, and Megafon that teamed up with Huawei and Nokia, have already tested 5G in Russia.

Meanwhile, China Mobile, the world's largest mobile operator, announced plans conduct 5G tests this year, while noting that it could start to build out 5G networks in major cities in 2018. The government-led 5G tests were completed in 2016 with satisfactory results, according to China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The tests were carried out in 100 cities and involved seven companies — Datang Telecom, Ericsson, Huawei, Intel, Nokia Shanghai Bell, Samsung and ZTE.

In April 2017, successful 5G tests were also conducted by Huawei jointly with Telenor in a controlled lab environment in Norway.