VimpelCom (Beeline) will leave 3G in Moscow and the Moscow Region only for voice communications. The operator is one of the first to transfer the frequencies used in the 2.1 GHz band to LTE - 4G - by early autumn. For 3G coverage will remain at 900 MHz.
MForum analyst Alexey Boyko noted that this range due to relatively narrow bands is suitable for voice, and above 1 GHz - for data and voice transmission in VoLTE mode - this is a 4G calling technology. At the moment in Moscow and the region 3G is used on about three percent of smartphones, reported Kommersant referring to Beeline.
According to the company's representative, 3G traffic is constantly falling, while LTE consumption is growing. Due to refarming the data network capacity will be increased by 50 percent. By the end of 2023 the operator plans to refuse 3G in more than 25 Russian regions. Beeline noted that back in 2017 the State Commission allowed Russian operators to use 2.1 GHz frequencies for LTE. To switch to 4G, the customer will need to use a smartphone with LTE support. You should check the SIM card for connectivity and set the LTE standard priority in the device's settings.
Currently, MTS continues transferring 2.1 GHz frequencies for LTE thanks to the network upgrade. In 2021, such changes took place in St. Petersburg. Also last year in Moscow, Tele2 was refarming from 3G to 4G. "Megafon continues to make changes as needed. According to the company's representative, there are now enough resources in the Moscow region to provide quality services. After the purchase of Skartel (Yota) in 2013, Megafon added another 60 MHz in the 2.5 GHz band to the existing 20 MHz.
According to Denis Kuskov, general director of the information-analytical agency Telecom Daily, the transfer of all voice calls to GSM networks could threaten congestion. However, the release of the 2.1 GHz band will allow operators to transfer it to 5G. The expert noted that it is the second most popular range in the world for 5G after 3.5-3.8 GHz. At the moment 3.5-3.8 GHz in Russia is used by special services.