Spain: Movistar, Orange, MásMóvil not rushing 5G
June 14, 2019
From David Del Valle in Madrid
Movistar, Orange and MásMóvil will not launch commercial 5G services until at least 2021, in contrast of Vodafone’s launch this weekend in 15 Spanish cities.
Vodafone’s rivals have decided to wait and see, as the commercial 5G services will not be fully implemented until 2021 or 2022, according to them.
Both Movistar and Orange are conducting 5G tests, with Movistar having just signed an agreement with Santander Bank for a 5G service bank along with ZTE.
Vodafone has taken the lead by launching the first 5G services even before the 5G licence auction has been completed.
Recently, Movistar and Vodafone were selected to carry out 5G pilots throughout the country. Vodafone is implementing these tests in Andalusia along with Huawei with a cost of €25.4 million and with a duration of 30 months. Telefónica is working with Ericsson and Nokia to implement it in Galicia, north of Spain, for €11.5 million and with a duration of 24 months. Both pilot projects will use the 3.4-3.8 Ghz and 26Ghz frequency bands.