“The state must assume a role in the deployment of the infrastructure of 5G networks”, Minister for Innovation and Technology László Palkovics said at the plenary session and conference of the 5G Coalition (5GK) in Budapest on Tuesday.

Mr. Palkovics highlighted the fact that 5G is the latest generation of mobile networks and its importance points far beyond telecommunications; it the catalyst of technology in a host of innovative areas. “These include IoT applications and self-driven vehicles; we are currently only aware of some of the related opportunities”, he pointed out.

“The deployment of 5G networks represents a different task in comparison to the current network, including the fact there will be a need for more, smaller base transmission stations than exist today, operating at more frequencies”, he added.

According to the Minister, in Hungary the state must assume a presence in the deployment of 5G.

“If we coordinate this with service providers, the economy and the market, the development of the required infrastructure could occur significantly more rapidly”, he declared.

With relation to the situation in Hungary, in the Minister’s view the best solution for the deployment of 5G networks is a mixed model in which the state and market participants appear within different fields during the establishment of the required infrastructure. “We can resolve the questions relating to the appearance of the network, the frequency of base transmission stations and the network’s operation very rapidly”, he added. “The state-related part of the 5G strategy, which is expected to be adopted in July, will to a significant extent deal with these issues”, he indicated.

He also spoke about the fact that the German 5G frequency tender has come to a close and has resulted in 6.5 billion euros in revenue for the German state; the winners of the tender must establish the network by the end of 2022.

“It will be possible to close the Hungarian frequency tender more rapidly in view of the fact that it has been prepared to a better extent and Hungarian frequency management is disciplined and consistent. The first 5G services are expected to already be launched during the third quarter of this year, and high capacity innovative services in the 26GHZ frequency range should become available after 2020”, the Minister explained.

An important element of the system is the preservation of dedicated frequencies for universities and industrial corporations. The Ministry for Innovation and Technology began consultations with those involved last week to examine whether these demands can be met sufficiently in the 26GHZ or 2300MHZ range.

Mr. Palkovics declared that a uniform state records and planning system must be introduced in the interests of being able to coordinate the deployment of 5G. The 5G Coalition is determining the areas in which the state can facilitate the development of technology, he said, citing as an example the area of self-driven vehicles. From among the most important proposals for measures, he mentioned the appointment of a Government Commissioner for the coordination of 5G development projects.

According to the schedule outlined in the Minister’s speech, the commercial launch of 5G in industrial facilities is expected in 2020, and by 2025 Hungary’s 5G network will cover all major cities and transport routes.

CEO of the National Infocommunications Service Company Ltd. (NISZ) and head of the Coalition’s network development working group Ferenc Bancsics reported on the fact that over 600 MHZ of frequency will be marketed this year within the 700MHZ, 2100MHZ, 2600MHZ and 3600MHZ frequency bands. He called the timeframe for the tender “ambitious”.

The 5GK’s professional director Ákos Mácz told reporters that 155 experts are involved in the five working groups of the 5GK, which was established two years ago. The number of member organisations has increased to 73 since the Coalition was founded, he added.

The members of the Coalition’s new presidency were elected at Tuesday’s session. In the new Ppresidency, the administration will be represented by Minister for Innovation and Technology László Palkovics, telecommunications by Deputy CEO of Vodaphone Gergő J. Budai, instrument manufacturers by Ericsson’s regional director Roland Jakab, IT by the President and CEO of 4iG Gellért Jászai, the field of science by the Dean of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) László Lakab, professional organisations by President of the Communications Reconciliation Council (HÉT) Gabriella Kövesi, and the various chambers by the President of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MKIK) László Parragh.

(Ministry for Innovation and Technology/MTI)