Yettel Hungary started a comprehensive network modernisation project in 2021. As part of this effort, it modernises not only the antennas serving the network, but also the core network connecting these antennas. As a result of the investment valued at several tens of billions of HUF, the capacity of the 4G network providing nationwide coverage has increased to 2-3 times its previous level, which paved the way for the deployment of a real high-speed 5G network. The latter is already available at nearly 700 base stations across the country, and now carries around 10% of mobile internet traffic.
The essence of the current innovation is that Hungary’s public 5G networks have so far been based on 4G technology, which means that the previous technology was also needed to establish 5G connectivity, that could also affect the availability of the 5G network. While this solution has delivered a good 5G experience, the reliance on legacy technology has also limited further 5G development. Now Yettel is creating an opportunity for this development by launching standalone 5G. Thanks to the new technology, data traffic between devices and the network is carried exclusively on a 5G-dedicated frequency and an optimised core network, unlocking the full potential of the 5G standard. In terms of customer experience, standalone 5G can deliver significantly faster response times and higher download and upload speeds, as well as open up the possibility of new digital services for consumers and businesses such as 5G-based voice calls or network “slicing”. The latter allows factories and plants to create a 5G network within their own area, completely independent of the public network and its traffic. Yettel’s standalone 5G service is now available at nearly 700 base stations across the country. Yettel’s home and office internet subscribers using Yettel 5G will be the the first to benefit from the new technology. It is already available to some of these subscribers, with full access for home and office internet subscribers to be rolled out until the end of Q1 2024, including network performance optimisation to ensure a good customer experience. Standalone 5G is expected to be available for smartphones from Q2 next year.
“Standalone 5G technology enables our customers to enjoy an even smoother online experience in their everyday lives, with almost real-time online communication. The availability and potential of this new technology can significantly contribute to the further digitisation of many industries in Hungary and increase the domestic and international competitiveness of local companies. In Hungary, Yettel has the largest contiguous spectrum, that is, the largest capacity for super-fast 5G access, and we want to use this technical potential for the benefit of our customers and users with standalone 5G,” said György Koller, Chief Technical Officer of Yettel.
New technology for researchers and engineers
Óbuda University and Yettel signed a strategic partnership agreement in November 2022. As part of the partnership, Yettel has built a mobile network using 5G technology on the University Campus in Bécsi út, and the mobile operator has provided the university with SIM cards and terminal equipment free of charge for development and testing purposes. The partners have also started to cooperate in training and recruitment. With the launch of standalone 5G, the latest technology is now available on the university’s own network, accessible only to the university’s staff, researchers and students.
“As one of Hungary’s leading technical higher education institutions, Óbuda University attaches great importance to establishing partnerships with all industries relevant to its fields of education,” said Prof. Dr. Levente Kovács, Rector of Óbuda University. “Our graduates have excellent job opportunities due to the university’s practice-oriented training program. This is the purpose of the partnership we have just announced”.
Background information for editors
The benefits of fast mobile internet are easy to understand, but what does fast response time mean?
Response time is a measure of how long it takes to send and receive data over mobile networks. The faster the response time, the faster data can travel between devices (e.g. mobile phones, computers) and the operator’s servers.
Some applications where faster response time means a better user experience:
• Online games: If the response time is slow, it takes more time for the player’s actions to take place in the game. With a fast response time, this time is reduced and the game becomes faster and more enjoyable, whether it’s an online racing game or a popular shooting game.
• Autonomous vehicles: Self-driving cars and drones, for example, are constantly sending and receiving data to keep you safe on the road. Fast response times also enable these vehicles to make quick decisions, quickly detect their surroundings and provide instant information.
• Smart cities and IoT (Internet of Things): In smart cities, a wide range of devices (e.g. smart lights, parking sensors, alarm systems, etc.) are connected to the network. With a fast response time, these devices can communicate faster, ensuring more efficient operations in cities or neighbourhoods equipped with such utility and security systems.