Lithuania holds no direct talks with Russia on border frequencies – regulator

VILNIUS – Lithuania's Communications Regulatory Authority, or RRT, has ended direct talks with Russia on border frequencies in the 3.5 GHz band as the regulator prepares to announce the first 5G spectrum auctions.  

RRT Deputy Director Mindaugas Zilinskas told the parliamentary Committee on Economics on Monday that Lithuania was planning to raise the frequency issue with the European Postal and Telecommunications Union (EPTU).    

"We aren't negotiating with Russia. We've raised that issue at the highest possible level in the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) community. That is, we've raised it with the EPTU and it will be presented to the Plenipotentiary Conference in 2022 and moved to the World Radio Conference in 2023," he said.  

RRT has reached a deal with Russia on removing TV television programs from the 700 MHz band, but Russia refuses to free up the 3.5 GHz band it is using for its military needs. 

Frequencies in this spectrum are needed to ensure effective coverage in more densely populated areas, especially in cities.

RRT Director Feliksas Dobrovolskis told the parliamentary committee earlier on Monday that he expected an auction of frequencies in the 700 MHz band to be announced shortly.

Before that, the Defense Ministry has yet to make decisions on cyber security and put the necessary legislation into place. 

"We hope to announce that auction in the near future," Dobrovolskis said. "This week, we expect a certain contribution from the Defense Ministry, and when there's clarity, we'll move on." 

Telia was the first operator to start deploying a trial 5G mobile network in Lithuania last November.