Myanmar’s fourth-placed operator Mytel has completed technical 5G tests on the 3.5GHz frequency.
The trials bring Mytel a step closer to a commercial launch, which it will commence after it has built out the requisite level of network infrastructure. The trials were Myanmar’s first 5G technology tests and registered peak download speeds of 1.6Gb/s.
Mytel is a venture formed by a group of Myanmar-based companies and Vietnam’s military-run group Viettel. It was issued Myanmar’s fourth mobile licence in January 2017 and began offering services in June last year.
Viettel has also trialled 5G in both its home market of Vietnam and in Cambodia, via a partnership between its local unit Metfone and state-owned Telecom Cambodia. The operators began testing 5G last month after reaching an infrastructure sharing deal.
In January, Viettel received a licence to conduct 5G trials in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City over the 3.8GHz and 28GHz bands. In May, the group claimed to have completed the country’s first successful 5G call.
