Telefonica mobile brand Movistar has announced its accelerated deployment of 5G on 3,500 MHz band to bring high-performance connectivity, known as 5G+ (Standalone 5G), to customers across Spain. The initiative aims to provide ultra-fast speeds, low latency, and improved network quality in both urban centres and rural areas, revolutionizing the mobile experience for users with 5G+.
Movistar says 5G SA is currently available in 11 cities, including Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Seville, Palma de Mallorca, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Avila, Segovia, Castellon, El Ferrol and Vigo. Movistar aims to achieve extensive 5G SA coverage in most cities with populations over 250,000 by the end of the year. The operator has announced plans to expand the coverage of its 5G services to smaller populations, ensuring that more people have access to comprehensive and widespread coverage.
Extensive 5G Coverage: Cities and Rural Areas
Movistar customers will automatically gain access to 5G+ capabilities at no additional cost, enabling them to enjoy the benefits of this advanced technology in large cities as well as small municipalities.
According to Movistar, the deployment of 5G+ technology will greatly enhance network quality for customers in crowded areas, such as sports events or music concerts.
Movistar 5G Coverage
Movistar said it has already achieved 5G coverage in over 700 municipalities with 3,500 MHz band and plans to further expand its network during the second half of the year. The company aims to reach approximately 1,000 locations by the end of 2023.
With the launch of 5G+ on the 3,500 MHz band, Movistar says it can deliver speeds of up to 1,600 Mbps, with support from Ericsson and Nokia for the project. According to the statement, this deployment complements Movistar’s existing coverage in the 700 MHz band, which has been available in over 2,200 municipalities since last year and improves indoor coverage.
By combining the low band coverage with the high-speed capabilities of the 3,500 MHz frequencies, Movistar aims to provide seamless and high-quality 5G connectivity for both rural and urban areas. Currently, Movistar’s 5G coverage extends to over 85 percent of the population.
As part of the launch of 5G+ and the accelerated deployment, Movistar says it has already introduced 5G Standalone (SA) technology. This technology ensures that the entire network infrastructure, including core and radio access, is based on 5G, resulting in an improved connectivity experience for users.
Sustainability Measures
According to Movistar, its 5G technology is being developed with a strong focus on environmental sustainability. The company highlights that 5G consumes 90 percent less energy per unit of traffic (W/Mbps) compared to 4G.
Moreover, Movistar’s network operates on 100 percent renewable electricity, a sustainability measure implemented since 2017, according to the telco. The company continues to work towards making its network even more energy-efficient and aims to achieve zero net emissions by 2040.
According to the statement, Movistar has made significant progress in recent years reducing operating emissions by 96 percent and decreasing energy consumption by 12 percent, despite a 4.7-fold increase in data traffic during the same period. Additionally, Movistar has reduced its carbon footprint, including its value chain, by 58 percent.
With its accelerated 5G deployment and commitment to sustainability, Movistar is poised to transform connectivity across Spain, providing customers with an enhanced mobile experience while working towards a greener future.
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