Telekom Slovenije users can already use the first 5G network in Slovenia

For this purpose, it launched the Naj 5G (Top 5G) plan, which includes unlimited calls and messaging as well as a 300 GB data allowance with speeds of up to 450 Mbps downlink and 100 Mbps uplink, making the fastest network even faster. Users with mobile phones that support the technology can also activate 5G services on any other mobile plan by sending a text message with the keyword 5G to 1918. Telekom Slovenije plans to ensure a 33% population coverage with the 5G network in the existing frequency bands by the end of the year, which is the result of a deliberate, gradual and especially prompt investment into the development of new technologies.

The Naj 5G mobile plan for ultrafast mobile internet

The Naj 5G plan brings unlimited calls and messaging in Slovenia and EU-rate countries, as well as a 300 GB data allowance (of which 13,903 MB can be used in EU-rate countries), ultrafast internet with speeds of 450/100 Mbps, and the VoLTE (Voice-Over-LTE) and VoWiFi (Voice-Over-WiFi) services. The monthly subscription fee is €28.99.

Users can also activate 5G services on any other mobile plan by sending a text message with the keyword 5G to 1918. During the promotional period until the end of this year, 5G use is free of charge (from 1 January 2021 the monthly subscription fee will be €3 for NekiNeki plans or €6 for all other plans).

5G services can be used on mobile phones that support 5G over the 2600 MHz frequency band, and feature the appropriate software. Currently these include the Samsung Galaxy S20 5G, the Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, the Huawei P40 Pro and the Huawei Mate Xs, and by the end of the year 5G use will also be supported on the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A42 5G and on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ 5G tablet.

Unlimited speed and network responsiveness testing

Surveys show that users have rated Telekom Slovenije's network as the best, most reliable and most trustworthy. Because Telekom Slovenije believes that user experience is what counts the most, they took a step further. "Our network is used by more than one million users every day. Since it is so advanced, reliable, secure and provides excellent coverage, it is also used by other operators in Slovenia. Because we believe in our network, as we have been carefully and deliberately developing it for 30 years, and especially because we value the actual incredible user experience, we invite users to test the quality, speed and responsiveness of our network using the established Speedtest app. The data transferred using Speedtest will not count towards the users' data allowance. Because in Slovenia's first network, users come first," said Matjaž Beričič, Management Board member and CTO of Telekom Slovenije. Telekom Slovenije is currently in discussions with some other providers of dedicated testing apps for a similar testing arrangement.

5G will significantly contribute to the development of the public safety and protection and rescue system, and Telekom Slovenije also donated €20,000 to the Firefighting Association of Slovenia

The top of the line user experience is especially important in the most critical situations and moments, when lives are at stake. For that reason, Telekom Slovenije used this opportunity to donate to those who provide humanitarian aid and rescue our lives, property, environment and cultural heritage under most dire circumstances. The president of the Firefighting Association of Slovenia Janko Cerkvenik and commander Franci Petek received a donation of €20,000 from Telekom Slovenije, which the Firefighting Association of Slovenia will put toward continued firefighting training. "Firefighters embody the values such as humanitarianism, volunteering and solidarity. After every natural or other disaster, they prove that they are the ones we can count on anywhere, anytime. They witness many tragedies which would have been significantly worse without their selflessness and dedication. Reliable communication technology is key for the work of units for protection, rescue and safety. Here every single second counts, and 5G technology will bring even bigger capacities, higher transfer speeds and lower latency, which will result in a significant advancement," emphasized Tomaž Jontes, Management Board member of Telekom Slovenia. Telekom Slovenije is one of the partners in the 5G PPDR (Public Protection and Disaster Relief) project, which is focused on using broadband networks' 5G verticals for developing the system of public protection, safety and rescue.

5G is an opportunity for continued digitalization of all verticals

Compared to existing mobile networks, 5G brings much higher data transfer speeds in both directions (downlink and uplink), and a much shorter response time with exceptionally low latency of just a few milliseconds. At the same time, it also supports efficient simultaneous connections of a large number of devices (more than a million), which will facilitate the development of smart industry, smart cities and, using network slicing, provide continued digitalisation of the economy through the introduction of numerous virtual dedicated (campus) networks. Telekom Slovenije plans to launch its fifth generation public mobile network in the form of campus networks, where a single physical infrastructure can host several virtual dedicated networks for various business verticals, such as energy supply, transportation, logistics, manufacturing, smart cities, healthcare, protection and rescue (public safety), and similar.

5G meets the demands of the modern society, which is characterized by fast growth of mobile data transfer and a growing demand for digitalization of the economy. 5G will provide flexibility and optimization of machines and robots, and, with the utilization of sensors, provide an even higher level of product quality, and especially the personalisation of orders, one of the foundations of Industry 4.0. Practically all industries will benefit from additional functionalities that will bring even more efficient operations with 5G.

Among the first in the world to launch 5G using existing frequency spectrum

Following the response from manufacturers of terminal equipment, Telekom Slovenije is among the first operators in the world to launch a 5G network using the 2600 MHz frequency band, which is also used for 4G, utilizing its available frequencies deliberately and to the full extent. "In Slovenia the auction of the frequency spectrum that will allow us to use the full potential of 5G technology is planned for early next year, and following that it will take at least one year of planning, development and investments to ensure a proper network upgrade. Telekom Slovenije has been carefully planning and upgrading its network in accordance with the developmental trends, and is ready for 5G both in terms of network equipment and backend systems. That is also why we were able to use and upgrade a part of the frequency spectrum we use for 4G to provide our users with advanced communication services of the future. This is a good first step towards a 5G future," said Matjaž Beričič.

The evolutionary upgraded 4G/5G network already makes it possible users to achieve higher data speeds than they are able to in the LTE/4G network, and after obtaining additional frequency bands and continued network development, the network will provide gigabit speeds, significantly shorter response times, and will allow users to access new services using increasing advanced terminal equipment.