Russian Firm Tests 5G Equipment in Belarus, Eyeing Global Expansion
This summer, Russian telecom equipment manufacturer Irteya will begin testing its 5G technology in Belarus, marking its first foray into international markets. This move could position Irteya as a significant player in global telecom, as detailed by CEO Dmitry Lakoontsev.
5G Testing Grounds in Belarus
Belarus offers a rich testing environment for 5G with its open frequency bands at 700 MHz, 2100 MHz, and 3400-3800 MHz. Although Irteya’s local partner remains undisclosed, President Alexander Lukashenko’s recent directive to establish a 5G infrastructure operator sets the stage for advancing telecom capabilities.
Lakoontsev emphasized Belarus’s suitability for testing due to Russia’s limited available frequencies. This testing phase in Belarus aims to assess the real-world performance of Irteya’s base stations and refine the technology.
Strategic Export Focus
Expanding its global footprint is a top priority for Irteya. The company is in talks with several countries and plans to install over 1,000 base stations in MTS’s network by year-end. Beeline has also been testing Irteya’s equipment, demonstrating data transfer speeds exceeding 1 Gbps at the CIPR-2025 event.
Industry expert Denis Kuskov believes focusing solely on Russia isn’t sufficient for a thriving deployment and suggests exploring EAEU and BRICS nations. Meanwhile, Inventorus CEO Evgeny Elfimov highlights the strategic alignment with Belarusian government’s 5G plans, which could unlock state financing and strengthen tech ties.
Competition and Market Outlook
Belarus’s telecom market is dominated by giants like Huawei, Ericsson, and Nokia, with ZTE and Samsung also competing. Russian base stations might vie against these established players, particularly with Huawei and ZTE offering incentivized financing. Recent talks between Lukashenko and China’s Xi Jinping on preferential credit support further indicate the competitive atmosphere Irteya will face.
