Dutch operator KPN has signed a loan agreement with the European Investment Bank to help finance its roll-out of a 5G network. The bank said it will provide EUR 300 million of the total cost of EUR 650 million for the project.
The project will include expansion of capacity on the 4G mobile broadband network and the initial deployment of a 5G network, in order to cope with the expected growth of data traffic and demand for higher data rates, the EIB said. It covers investments in the radio, access network, transmission, core network and IT systems. The project also includes improvements of KPN's cybersecurity capabilities.
KPN has already started a number of field trials for 5G and is preparing its network for 5G with new RAN equipment and massive MIMO antennas. The operator is awaiting more details on the expected spectrum auction in late 2019 or early 2020 in the Netherlands before setting its full roll-out plans for 5G.
