5G in Russia is looking like a distant dream, as major network vendors Ericsson and Nokia have decided to suspend their operations in Russia, while Chinese vendors Huawei and ZTE are grappling with US sanctions.

To compound matters, Russia’s 4G network is yet to reach full penetration levels, and Nokia and Ericsson’s exit might impact its expansion and upgrade. Although 5G is available in a few parts of Moscow and St Petersburg on the MTS network using Huawei equipment, the sanctions on the supply of semiconductors to Russia might hamper further imports of 5G equipment from Huawei and ZTE.

Russia’s major telecom operators MTS, MegaFon, Beeline and Tele2 are facing the challenge of maintaining their network equipment as they are mainly dependent on Nokia and Ericsson for such requirements. Although MTS is also using Huawei’s equipment for providing 5G services in some parts of Moscow and St Petersburg, that too looks in limbo.

Russia Mobile Subscribers by MNOs, 2017-2021

Sources: Company reports, Counterpoint Research

Huawei and ZTE might face difficulty in providing network equipment to Russian telecom operators, as they are heavily reliant on TSMC, Intel and Samsung on semiconductors, and wouldn’t want to be falling foul of US sanctions.

It might be a costly affair to replace the existing equipment with the new ones for providing 5G services, and telcos might look at focusing on improving their 4G coverage. Also, the Russian government is yet to auction the 5G spectrum. Deliberations are still on to decide the spectrum to be used for 5G services.

To overcome problems associated with 5G spectrum allocation, the telcos have formed a joint venture, New Digital Solutions, to test electromagnetic compatibility, conduct research on frequencies suitable for 5G services and implement measures to free up radio frequencies for 5G services.

With major global service providers suspending their operations in the country, the Russian consumer is facing an increase in costs as telcos are increasing their tariffs to be able to maintain equipment and avoid frequent network disruptions.

Another issue that Russian consumers are facing is that they are not being able to purchase 5G smartphones from some of their favorite brands. While Apple, Samsung and some other brands have suspended their supplies to Russia, the sales of Chinese smartphone players are increasing.

Russia might have to wait to get 5G services, as the government hasn’t finalized the spectrum band for the auction, although the ministry concerned is moving towards mmWave in the 24.25GHz-27.5GHz band from existing radio relay stations and 4GHz. The plan is expected to be finalized not before 2023.

In the absence of Nokia and Ericsson, the telcos have to depend on Chinese vendors Huawei and ZTE for most of their 5G equipment, but the situation here also looks uncertain for the time being. Chinese vendors are already reeling under the pressure of US sanctions and would be careful not to fall foul of the sanctions.

Akash is a Research Analyst at Counterpoint Research who tracks the television industry and telecommunication ecosystem. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IMT Nagpur and is a commerce graduate from the University of Calcutta.

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