Source: 24tv.ua.
The government stated that they are ready to introduce a new 4G mobile Internet standard. The website “24” found out what should be done and what has already been done in this area.
On August 9, the Cabinet of Ministers voted for the introduction of 4G in Ukraine. They promise to do everything in a quick manner. Mobile operators also confirmed that they were ready.
Oleksandr Kubrakov, the head of the IT and Telecom sector at the Better Regulation Delivery Office explained in a comment to the website “24” that there were several aspects that should be considered in the introduction of the 4G standard: legal aspects, regulation and technical training. But first, let’s consider the main issue.
Differences between 3G and 4G
You may ask about the difference. We explain: it is the speed. In the theory, the 4G mobile internet is 10 times faster than the 3G one. However, the experts say that in practice, the difference will be just in 4-5 times, which, actually, is still a lot.
If more clearly, the 4G will allow, in particular, to play online games of any complexity and use the multimedia Internet content of Full-HD quality with no hassles.
Another example to compare the speed: the network bandwidth for 3G is 3 Mbit/s for a fixed subscriber, and 384 Kbit/s – for mobile subscribers (in transport), as for 4G, it will provide 100 Mbit/s for mobile users and 1 Gb/s for the fixed ones.
This issue is clear, let’s go further.
What is required of mobile operators?
Oleksandr Kubrakov said that a lot of work has already been done. When operators launched the 3G standard, they have installed many fiber optic lines, so they have the more or less equipped core network. When they placed the 3G equipment, a considerable amount of base stations with the 4G-ready equipment has appeared. So, when operators get licenses, certain legal aspects are resolved and everything is agreed, they can quickly introduce the 4G in many regions.
“I do not say that they do not need to invest in something else, because they need. But there are certain facilities with the necessary equipment for 4G support. At a certain level, they will need some rebooting, additional loading and purchasing some software – and go for it. Of course, they will need to install the install completely new equipment in many facilities, and it will require some time,” the expert explains.
He reminded that we have seen the implementation of 3G, it didn’t appear everywhere at once, but city by city. Similarly, it is likely to be with 4G.
What is required of citizens?
To have appropriate gadgets that support the 4G standard. According to various estimates, on average 30-40% of subscribers in Ukraine (various operators have different figures) use smartphones. In big cities, the proportion of smartphones is even higher. All of them support 3G, and many of them – even the 4G.
“So, we can say that already many hundreds of thousands of people will be able to use the 4G,” Kubrakov said.
What is required of the state?
To provide mobile operators with licenses, distribute frequencies and sell them at the auction to these operators.
It’s already known that the fourth generation mobile Internet will work in frequency bands of 1800 and 2600 MHZ. In this case, the redistribution of the first frequencies still requires to be considered, but 2600-frequencies are already free. Moreover, the state budget will receive a minimum of 6.3 billion hryvnas from the licenses for Ukrainian mobile operators.
Introduction opportunities
Oleksandr Kubrakov expressed his hope that the tender would be held by the end of this year and operators could get frequencies to introduce the 4G.
“We have done a lot of work, cooperated with a consulting company, the market, the regulator and operators. We have developed a plan to use the frequency resource, choose frequencies for different technologies. The auction will be held soon and operators who received the frequencies will be able to introduce the 4G,” he said.
The government supports the introduction of the new standard, and the Prime Minister’s statement confirms this readiness. There were many nuances and questions why just these frequencies. Now, they are resolved.
“But I would not say that now it is just a matter of technologies. We have been introducing the 3G for several times: it was first announced in 2007, and then in 2009, but it was launched inly in 2014. I hope that this will not happen now, because we can not compare the situations now and then. So, let’s wait,” the expert summed up.
By Yanina Tkachuk