5G strategy adopted – One tenth of Serbia covered by signal in 2026 and entire EXPO complex

The long-awaited rulebook necessary for the introduction of the 5G network in Serbia should soon be adopted, considering that the just adopted Strategy of Development of Electronic Communications Systems envisages it for the third quarter of 2024. The auction for the distribution of the frequencies will be held – only at the end of 2025.

The expansion of the 5G network in our country is to start only in 2026, and the territory coverage in 2027 should be 40%. What the just adopted state strategy envisages is that the EXPO 2027 complex will be entirely covered by the 5G signal, as soon as 2026, together with 10% of Serbia.

At the session held on Thursday, August 8, the Government of Serbia adopted the Strategy of Development of Electronic Communications Systems in the Republic of Serbia until 2027.

It emphasizes that, in order to start introducing the 5G network in the Republic of Serbia, it is necessary for certain pre-conditions to be met.

– The measure of introducing the 5G network in Serbia entails the preparation of regulatory frameworks and safety standards, crucial to the implementation of advanced 5G networks, as well as the continuation of the construction of optical connecting routes in urban and rural areas – the Strategy says.

In Serbia, so far, it is said, in addition to the re-distribution of the radio-frequency bands, a regulatory framework has been established as well, “which is a good basis for the continuation of activities in this field.”

– The introduction of the 5G network will enable faster internet connections, a higher reliability, a reduction of delays on the network, support to various innovative apps. It opens the road toward improving the communications in all the sectors of the society and a quicker economic growth – the Strategy emphasizes.

First the rulebook, then the auction, then the expansion of the network

In order for the 5G network to take root in Serbia, the pre-condition is to adopt said Rulebook on the Minimum Conditions for the Issuing of Individual Permits for the Use of the Radio-Frequency Band of Interest for the Establishment of the 5G Network.

– The Rulebook will say how many permits are to be allocated, what the territory coverage is and what price the mobile operators should pay – the then minister of information and telecommunications of Serbia, Mihailo Jovanovic, explained in March this year.

According to the strategy, Serbia should finally get the rulebook in the third quarter of this year, so – by the end of September.

As can be concluded from the strategy, it takes over a year to prepare the auction, the public bidding for the allocation of the frequencies, since it is planned for the final quarter of 2025.

Considering that the allocation of the 5G frequencies is planned only for the end of next year, the development of the new technology network is expected only from 2026.

Vlada Republike Srbije

Ministarstvo informisanja i telekomunikacija Republike Srbije

Government of Serbia

Ministry of Information and Telecommunications

Mihailo Jovanovic

5G network in Serbia

introduction of 5G network in Serbia

Strategy of Development of Electronic Communications Systems

auction for allocation of 5G frequencies

5G signal

Rulebook on the Minimum Conditions for the Issuing of Individual Permits for the Use of the Radio Frequency Band of Interest for the Establishment of the 5G Network