A 5G demo center for testing promising technologies and city services is to be set up in Moscow. The center will be accessible for both Russian and foreign companies. This was announced by Alexander Gorbatko, deputy head of Moscow’s IT Department, at the Moscow Urban Forum. 

The new laboratory will facilitate access to 5G technologies for entrepreneurs, create a local center of excellence, and help companies to find and retain specialists. 

“This space will provide businesses with the opportunity to test new technology solutions and assess the merits of industrial application. The latest urban 5G technological solutions will also be tested at the demo-center. The demo center will be open to major companies, as well as startups and research institutions. Access to the laboratories will be given to companies from different markets, not only the telecom sector. We are interested in finding joint business models for players in various markets - industry, medicine, transport, and other sectors of strategic importance to the city,” said Gorbatko.   

The demo center will operate on the principles of vendor neutrality, openness towards business, info security and compatibility, and “patent and technological integrity” in regards to equipment. Agreement with the participants in the new 5G demo center will be signed in the near future.  

As announced earlier this year, by the end of 2019 four 5G pilot zones will be developed in Moscow. Each of the zones will be operated by one of Russia’s four major telecom providers. The zones include VDNH park, Skolkovo, Tverskaya street and Sparrow Hills.