Wireless Networks

Digicel PNG says it's 5G-ready as NICTA issues 5G spectrum proposals

Digicel PNG says it's 5G-ready as NICTA issues 5G spectrum proposals

Papua New Guinea saw movement on the 5G front on Friday after Digicel PNG announced its mobile network is now officially 5G-ready, while the country’s regulator released two draft plans for 5G spectrum bands.

Digicel PNG announced it has completed end-to-end 5G readiness testing on its network, with the results validating its network’s capability to deliver 5G connectivity.

Digicel PNG said its network achieved peak download speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps during the trials.

Digicel PNG’s interim CEO Brett Goschen said the test results demonstrate that its network will be able to deliver 5G benefits to customers, including HD and ultra-HD streaming, enhanced mobile gaming and real-time experiences via lower latency, and more reliable connectivity for businesses, whilst also paving the way for future digital services and innovation across industries.

“The successful completion of our 5G readiness testing marks a significant milestone for Digicel PNG and for the country’s digital evolution,” Goschen said in a statement. “It confirms that our network is fully prepared to support the next generation of mobile technology, delivering faster speeds, improved responsiveness, and greater reliability for our customers.”

That said, Goschen added that while the network is ready to launch 5G, commercial availability is still some time away, saying only that details of a commercial launch “will be shared at a later stage.”

Papua New Guinea’s National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) has yet to issue definite plans to assign 5G spectrum and allocate new licences, having been focused on expanding the reach of 4G and enabling Starlink services in unserved areas.

However, also on Friday, NICTA issued a public consultation notice on two draft papers proposing to use the 2300-MHz and 3500-MHz spectrum bands for 4G and 5G services.

Under the proposals, telcos would need to acquire a spectrum licence, which will be good for between five and 15 years, and an apparatus licence for the base stations, which would be valid for five years.

Comments are due on July 15, but no timeline has been given on when NICTA plans to award licences for either band.



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