5G services in Greece
Great advancement the three more recent generations marked. The 1st generation were people that only used an analogue tech. The 2nd generation people mostly used digital technologies. Ultimately, the 3rd generation, coinciding with when the World Wide Web came into its own, mobile internet took the world by storm. We’re currently experiencing the turn of a 4th-generation where we can move quickly and easily using Smart technologies. With the upcoming advancements in digital technology, it looks like the 20s will be a turning point for the 5th generation.
But if you believe that 5G is just around the corner, you should still be patient. The first 5G network samples will be in Greece by 2020. We should take into account as the full development of 5th Gen networks and new services and applications cannot happen until the middle of the next dacade.
Cosmote Greece launched their 5G pilot network ahead of schedule in 2018. These pilot networks were expected to be launched in 2019. Last week, the presentation took place outdoors in the municipality of Zografou, with the Minister of Digital Policy, Nikos Pappas, present. Ericsson and Nokia provided the equipment for this event.
As for the applications demonstrated by Cosmote included:
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Internet of Skills application for simulating medical surgery from a distance via a virtual reality (VR) mask,
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Hologram Transfer, where people in different locations were talking in the same room in real time,
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using 5G real time automation and robotics collaboration to balance a ball
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360° live feed in 4K resolution, via virtual reality and
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real-time penalty kicks via virtual reality (VR).
5G has been high on the agenda of the Ministry of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Post, which was the one that prompted the three providers to sign memoranda of understanding with the municipalities of Zografou, Trikala and Kalamata respectively regarding the development of 5G pilot networks. However, there is some skepticism about whether municipalities can help companies build their pilot networks.
Vodafone and Wind will follow, as expected. We still have a long way to go before the commercial availability of services in Greece. And the main reason is due to the fact that frequencies have not been assigned yet. However, there is a positive side to this – the EETT has completed assigning the frequency spectrum for the pilots of the three providers in selected areas relatively quickly.
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Author: PC-GR
The World of Technology
