The company One, in collaboration with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center Tehnopolis, has announced the establishment of Montenegro’s first test environment for 5.5G technology, also known as 5G-Advanced. This groundbreaking initiative positions Montenegro as an innovation hub, placing it among the pioneers exploring the potential of next-generation mobile networks.
Montenegro joins an exclusive group of countries making revolutionary digital strides by introducing 5G-Advanced, coinciding with the unveiling of the latest 5G innovations at the world’s largest telecommunications forum, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
“Unlike existing networks, 5G-Advanced enables gigabit data transfer speeds, up to ten times faster than the currently implemented 5G technology, nearly imperceptible latency, and massive device connectivity. This opens the door to advanced solutions across various fields, breaking down barriers between mobile and optical networks,” said representatives from One.
During the signing of the Cooperation Agreement, representatives from both institutions emphasized that this project represents a significant step for Montenegro’s digital development. Branko Mitrović, CEO of One, stated that by establishing this test environment, Montenegro has the opportunity to become a regional leader in the application of advanced technologies. “This next-generation network will pave the way for smart solutions in industry, entrepreneurship, and society, enabling faster digital transformation and global market competitiveness. The process of obtaining relevant approvals from the Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (EKIP) for testing is underway, and we are conducting the entire process in compliance with regulations and with full respect for the regulatory framework,” said Mitrović.
He added that they are creating an ecosystem where innovation, research, and technological development will receive strong support. The new test environment is expected to enable startups, tech companies, researchers, and the academic community to develop and test advanced solutions based on ultra-fast and reliable future networks.
Đorđije Malović, Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IPC) Tehnopolis, stated that Tehnopolis is committed to fostering an innovative environment that encourages research and development of new technologies. “Collaboration with One allows us to support young entrepreneurs and researchers, providing them with access to the latest technologies and resources. We are confident that this test environment will contribute to the development and enhancement of telecommunications infrastructure in Montenegro and enable us to be part of the global innovation community,” said Malović.
By establishing the first test environment for 5.5G technology, One reaffirms its commitment to technological innovation and network advancement. Its leading market position is further confirmed by recognition from the renowned international organization Umlaut, which has rated One’s network as the best in Montenegro for the third consecutive year.
One has already laid the groundwork for the widespread application of 5G technology through its existing services. Since last autumn, the company has offered affordable and unlimited 5G home internet, resulting in significant user interest and the success of its Duo package.
“This project further confirms that 5G technology plays a key role in One’s future and its continued development, enabling even better, faster, and more stable connectivity for homes and mobile users,” said representatives from One.
It is no coincidence that this initiative is led by One, part of the 4iG Group, a regional telecommunications giant that last year became the first in Central and Eastern Europe to demonstrate 5G-Advanced technology on the six gigahertz (GHz) frequency. With this project, 4iG continues to introduce the most advanced technological standards, this time placing Montenegro on the digital map of the future.
The first technical-technological tests in the new Tehnopolis test center will be based on the use of millimeter waves (mmWave) from the 26 GHz radio frequency spectrum, applying advanced 3GPP Rel-18 standards. The 4iG Group has supported One Montenegro and chosen Montenegro as the location for testing mmWave 5G-Advanced technology, marking a significant step in the research and development of this innovative approach.
Previous experiences from international projects indicate that Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) based on mmWave 5G-Advanced technology can serve as a sustainable alternative to fixed broadband networks for data transmission and internet access, both in urban and rural areas.
“These tests enable One to explore the potential of the mmWave spectrum and contribute to the development of future technological and industrial solutions, making it immediately available to Montenegrin tech companies for developing services based on this technology,” the statement concluded.
