Page 20 - bne_Tech_07_2019

NIBs
July 2019 www.intellinews.com I Page 20
5G services by the end of the year and issue frequencies by the end of June 2020.
The frequency will be granted by the agency but will also be in line with the country's 5G Action Plan. This will include certain requirements
for the construction of the 5G network, such as coverage of a certain percentage of the population within a certain time limits.
The agency expects that all telecommunication companies in Slovenia, such as Telekom Slovenije, A1 Slovenia, Telemach and T-2, will participate in the auction.
Reuters reported that in the next two years, investments in 5G infrastructure at global level would reach $2.3 trillion.
North Macedonia drafts 10-year national broadband plan
North Macedonia’s government has adopted a ten- year national broadband operation plan to improve access to broadband connectivity and to increase internet speed in line with the EU countries.
Currently around 30% of households in North Macedonia live in areas without access to super high Internet speed of 100Mbps.
North Macedonia ranks 78th in terms of Internet speed in the world, according to Cable.co.uk. In 2019, the mean download speed is 7.97Mbps, down from 8.82Mbps in 2018. Only Bosnia & Herzegovina is behind North Macedonia among Balkan countries in terms of Internet speed.
“For the first time in history, we have an operational plan which outlines national goals that need to be reached by 2029,” the government said in the statement. The plan refers to the period 2019-2029.
The plans include for at least one city in North Macedonia, a country of 2.1mn population, to be covered with a 5G signal by the end of 2023.
By the end of 2027, uninterrupted 5G coverage should encompass all cities in the country.
All citizens should be able to access the internet through 5G with a minimum speed of at least 100Mbps by the end of 2029.