Finland arranged a spectrum auction in September for the 5G network frequencies. The auction ended in 1 October 2018 and Elisa is pleased with the outcome. Elisa acquired 5G frequencies according to its target.
The frequencies will be in commercial use in Finland on 1 January 2019. The first commercial 5G devices are expected in the markets during 2019.
With the new frequencies Elisa will open a commercial 5G network for its customers. In preparation Elisa has already opened the first precommercial 5G network in Tampere, Finland and in Tallinn, Estonia.
Elisa has also built 5G ready mobile networks in the cites of Helsinki, Tampere, Turku and Jyväskylä that will make updating the network to actual 5G network faster and easier.
Elisa has been a forerunner in testing various 5G technologies. We have worked diligently for years now in order to be ready when the frequencies become available. We want to be the first in the world to bring 5G opportunities to our customers, says Elisa’s Head of Mobile Technology Eetu Prieur.
In addition to the very fast network connections 5G enables completely new services, various solutions related to the Internet of Things, virtual and added reality and short latency applications for example traffic, health care and entertainment business needs.
Finland is the number one country in the world in the use of mobile data, and data usage continues to grow. New applications and services require more and more features from the network which makes utilising 5G networks necessary, emphasizes Prieur.
The first commercial 5G devices are expected in the markets during 2019.
Elisa is a telecommunications, ICT and digital service company operating mainly in Finland and Estonia. It serves over 2.8 million customers who have over 6.2 million subscriptions. Elisa provides environmentally sustainable services for communication and entertainment, and tools for organisations to digitalise their operations and improve productivity.
