Filenews 31 January 2021 - by Chrysanthos Manolis
"5G is the future of economic growth, business innovation and more broadly the progress of the place and the improvement of the quality of life of all of us" states in "F" Chrysis Finiotis, Senior Director of Technology & Informatics of Cyta.
In fact, as of today the possibility of using 5G in Cyprus is a fact, which is also inferred safely from the invitation distributed by Cytamobile-Vodafone for "live streaming event, which marks a new era in the evolution of communication". The online -celebration - event will take place today at 6 p.m. and according to Cytamobile-Vodafone "the future begins"! Obviously with the official announcement of the launch of the commercial operation of 5G technology.
In his interview with "F", Mr. Finiotis informs that the semi-state organization has completed the stage of its investments in the necessary infrastructure, completed the cycle of permits and is now ready for the commercial exploitation of the 5G network, offering its customers expanded capabilities ("with incredibly increased speeds") and options, which will gradually increase. What is required of consumers is only the possession of an accredited device (the accreditation process will be continuous and compatible devices will gradually increase) and its use in the areas covered by the new network (70% of free areas), without imposing any additional charges.
In particular, Mr. Finiotis states that "Cyta is ready to take the first step towards an exciting new era, bringing to Cyprus the first 5G network. Imagine the infrastructure, i.e. the networks, as the 'streets', or the 'avenues' of a city. First the roads need to be created and then the cars to be released. So we have already started to open the 'roads' for those cars that are properly equipped, i.e. mobile devices that support the new technology and have been certified so that they can immediately use them."
According to him, 5G networks are the 5th generation of wireless networks, i.e. physical continuity, the evolution of existing 4G networks. They aim to create a technological ecosystem that will not only benefit end-users by strengthening the user experience, but will also enable the emergence of new services and business models. 5G manages voice and data with significantly higher data speeds (10 to 100 times), the ability to interface more devices, faster response, better power and power transmission management, improved overall wireless coverage, greater reliability and increased interface availability.
Access to the 5G network will be available to all Cytamobile-Vodafone subscribers, individuals and businesses, free of charge and regardless of the contract, card contract or mobile phone plan. All 4G-compatible SIM is compatible with the 5G network. All it takes is for subscribers to have a 5G device, certified on Cyta's network, and to be in an area with 5G coverage.
FOLLOWS THE FULL TEXT OF THE INTERVIEW
"5G is the future of economic growth, business innovation and more broadly the progress of the place and the improvement of the quality of life of all of us" states in "F" Chrysis Finiotis, Senior Director of Technology & Informatics of Cyta.
And the semi-state organization has completed the stage of its investments in the necessary infrastructure, completed the licensing cycle and is ready for the commercial exploitation of the 5G network, offering its customers expanded capabilities ("with incredibly increased speeds") and options, which will gradually increase. What is required by consumers is only the possession of an accredited device and its use in the areas covered by the new network (70% of the free areas), no additional charge will be charged.
What investments has your organisation made to be almost ready to provide this service today? How much did the new infrastructure cost Cyta?
In the telecommunications sector, the ability to remain at the cutting edge of technology is a prerequisite for survival. At Cyta, since 2015 we have started a particularly demanding programme of modernisation of the mobile network, investing tens of millions of euros in equity, without bank lending, which is of particular importance. In this direction, the introduction of the 5G network was designed. We are creating the background, the main pillar of the digital ecosystem, that will support the introduction of new innovative product and application services. With incredibly high speeds and a new upgraded user experience. That's why the investments we made for 5G don't stop here. They are enduring and predict an exciting future. And 5G is the future of economic growth, business innovation and more broadly the progress of the place and the improvement of the quality of life of all of us.
What was the main factor that allowed Cyta to be able to offer 5G first, in Cyprus?
Cyta has long-term expertise in the development of reliable networks and infrastructures. Every new step we take, we want to be a step of confidence and reliability, which is why in time we installed and operated the first internal 5G pilot network in Cyprus, at Cyta's premises, which has now allowed us to step into the solid territory of the expertise and expertise of our staff. 5G networks require highly complex design, implementation, control, and thorough preparation techniques. They also require full compliance with globally recognised international standards. It is in this context that we have moved to Cyta to create the infrastructure that gradually unleashes new unprecedented possibilities and boosts the economy, while making our lives better.
Where are Cyta's final preparations for launching the commercial use of 5G networks at today, Mr Finiotis? What remains for the great event for the organisation itself and the country?
Cyta is ready to take the first step towards an exciting new era, bringing to Cyprus the first 5G network. Imagine the infrastructure, i.e. the networks, as the 'streets', or the 'avenues' of a city. First the roads need to be created and then the cars to be released. So we have already started to open the 'roads' for those cars that are properly equipped, i.e. mobile devices that support the new technology and have been certified so that they can use them immediately.
How late does this technology arrive in Cyprus, compared to other countries in Europe and elsewhere?
Planning and preparation had begun at the appropriate time, as significant preparation is required in the various infrastructures of our network and regardless of ensuring the relevant range. Despite the expected delays caused by the pandemic, we are within the time frame set by the European Union. The European Directive to the Member States provided for the sponsorship of a range of relevant radio frequencies by the end of 2020, as it did, which now allows the commercial operation of 5G networks. It is worth mentioning that, since December 2020, three commercial networks have been launched in Greece, from Cosmote, Vodafone and Wind.
How does 5G technology differ from existing mobile technologies (2G, 3G, 4G)?
Each generation of wireless telecommunications is designed to serve specific needs of technological applications and features. Initially, the first generation of mobile communication, 1G, introduced the concept of wireless analog telephony, exclusively for voice. Subsequently, 2G was designed primarily for voice over digital telephony and introduced SMS and MMS chatting, creating a new "language" of communication. Then 3G, thanks to the increase in data capacity, made video communication and the use of Mobile Internet possible for the first time. The latest technology, 4G, has brought significantly increased speeds, live video and HD streaming.
5G networks are the 5th generation of wireless networks, i.e. physical continuity, the evolution of existing 4G networks. They aim to create a technological ecosystem that will not only benefit end-users by strengthening the user experience, but will also enable the emergence of new services and business models. 5G manages voice and data with significantly higher data speeds (10 to 100 times), the ability to interface more devices, faster response, better power and power transmission management, improved overall wireless coverage, greater reliability and increased interface availability.
Far below the limits, electromagnetic fields
What are the human exposure limits in the 5G emission and how different or greater is this emission compared to 4G? How justified are the concerns of some of the population in Cyprus and elsewhere?
First of all, it must be made clear that the determination of limits does not concern Cyta, but is the subject of scientific research and study by independent bodies and valid international organisations. Cyta, as a technology and communications organisation as well as a public benefit organisation, applies the provisions of the legislation laid down by the State. In Cyprus, the maximum permitted exposure limits are set by the Ministry of Health, which has adopted the EU recommendations, which in turn adopted the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
With the introduction of each new mobile telephony technology there is a relative adjustment to the levels of electromagnetic fields (EEDs) recorded. In any case, the overall levels of ESBs are much lower than the limits set by law, as confirmed by the relevant measurements of certified/state-licensed laboratories, conducted over the last 15 years, at all base stations of mobile communications networks in Cyprus. The same applies after the introduction of 5G technology.
It is worth mentioning that, as the use of networks of previous generations of mobile telephony (2G, 3G, 4G) decreases, exposure levels decrease accordingly. It is therefore important to provide the public with proper information on the security framework governing wireless communications. The more reliable information, the smaller the area of misinformation and "fake news".
Only a compatible device is sufficient
What should consumers do, Mr Finiotis, from a technical and procedural point of view to take advantage of 5G? Do they need to invest in new technology or additional infrastructure? Will it cost your customer extra money to connect to the new network?
Access to the 5G network will be available to all Cytamobile-Vodafone subscribers, individuals and businesses, free of charge and regardless of the contract, card contract or mobile phone plan.
All 4G-compatible SIM is compatible with the 5G network. All it takes is for subscribers to have a 5G device, certified on Cyta's network, and to be in an area with 5G coverage.
Who can take advantage of 5G, how and in which areas
What and when will it change, Mr. Finiotis, for the 5G entrepreneur-user and depending on your "domestic" client? Will everyone benefit at this stage and how? Is it just a matter of increased speed and capacity or are other possibilities offered at this stage?
"When" depends on "how". This means that it is not enough simply for 5G to provide the required infrastructure. Ultra-high speeds, huge capacity and practically zero response time are just the beginning of the unlimited possibilities that the new 5G network will offer. For example, all that we now define as the internet was not created as soon as the technology was made available to the public. At first, ordinary users were limited to exchanging emails, then came the image and sound, and then this whole multi-media ecosystem that we have in mind when we talk about the internet. Infrastructure and appropriate tools such as search engines, such as Google, were preceded. When technology is at our disposal, then we too begin to discover its potential and find solutions through its applications that improve our daily lives.
This will be done now, at the same time as the introduction of the new network. As we expand it, the new ecosystem of wireless technologies will be created at the same time, the participants of which are many: providers, device manufacturers, the state, users, a whole chain of specialists and technicians who will begin to develop innovative applications. Obviously, it won't all happen right away, but the road has opened up and it's a road to great change.
In the road map for the introduction of 5G services, as defined by the International Telecommunications Union, enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services will be provided in the first instance, using a high bandwidth and requiring very high data transmission rates. Examples of such potential services are the virtual reality and augmented reality sectors. This is followed, at a later stage, by ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (uRLLC), high capacity and data transmission speed services to monitor and remotely control critical processes in real time. Examples of such services include remote healthcare, self-propelled vehicles, related applications in energy, food production, agriculture, livestock farming, transport, etc. The third range of most advanced services concerns massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC) to provide interconnectivity between hundreds of thousands of devices per square kilometre. Examples of such applications include building automation, smart city and home implementations, the smart logistics chain and general services we call the Internet of Things, in its much broader sense, however, compared to what we experienced with 4G.
It is therefore easy to understand the size and dynamics created by the 5G network.
Which of your current or future customers can take advantage of the capabilities of the 5G network at this stage? Are all telephone devices compatible with this technology? Will various packages of this product be offered to the public or will this service be provided horizontally by Cyta?
All mobile customers, both domestic and business, will be able to use Cyta's new 5G network. They just need a certified device that supports 5G. The certification process for 5G network compatibility with mobile devices is very demanding and time consuming and the introduction of new devices will be done gradually. It is a requirement for the various manufacturers of mobile devices to successfully carry out these compatibility checks before certifying and authorising the use of their devices on the 5G network, while several require their own on-site presence. The certification process is very important because it maximizes reliability and overall user experience through connecting to the 5G network.
Some devices have already been certified and others will gradually be added, with the aim of certifying all available devices in the trade as soon as possible. Our customers can be informed about the models certified on the Cyta (cyta.com.cy) website which is constantly updated.
This first step - but extremely important - that we are taking today also guides an overall upgrade of the organisation's networks. The new networks enable us to offer new packages and upgraded speeds on existing connections. In this way, we will benefit all of our subscribers, at the same time as the commercial introduction of the new 5G network.
With Cyta launching its commercial use of the 5G network in the next period, which areas will be covered and what percentage of consumers will be able to take advantage of the new technology? What does Cyta's plan provide for the gradual coverage of the population and territory?
In the first phase 5G will be available to about 70% of the population and will cover urban, tourist areas, motorways and large rural communities. It will be gradually expanded so that by the end of 2021 almost the entire population will be able to access our new network.
