“5G is not just about fast internet speeds. Developing this cellular network standard in Lithuania allows us to drive innovation and technological solutions. So the fact that the Government identifies the importance of this project is a significant acknowledgement for us,” told Marius Skuodis, Minister of Transport and Communications.
According to Mr. Skuodis, the Government's decision is going to have a significant contribution to the achievement of the strategic objectives of the development of electronic communications and to the reduction of the digital divide in the Lithuanian regions.
5G connectivity already covers 80% of the country's territory, and by 2025 this high-speed mobile network will be continuously available on the Via Baltica highway passing through Lithuania, as well as on other national roads, railways, airports and seaports.
Fifth-generation mobile connectivity is the basis for the emergence of technologies such as the Internet of Things, virtual reality, robotics, drones, intelligent transport systems, self-driving vehicles, etc.
The granting of the status of a project of national importance is part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) “On the Deployment of 5G Connectivity in Lithuania” signed at the end of 2021 between the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania (ALAL), the Communications Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Lithuania (CRA), the Lithuanian Road Administration JSC, public institution “Plačiajuostis internetas” (NGO) and the mobile telecommunication providers (Telia Lietuva, Bitė Lietuva, Tele2), which was also joined by 39 municipalities of the Republic of Lithuania.
The European Commission's proposed strategic goal is to have all European households connected to a gigabit broadband connection by 2030, with 5G connectivity available in all populated areas.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications promotes the design, testing and development of technological solutions that require 5G connectivity and has launched 2 calls for proposals totalling EUR 24.5 million funding. The Sandbox is a tool to promote innovation between consortia and start-ups.
