TIM and Nokia complete San Marino 5G network coverage

Telecom Italia (TIM) and Nokia have covered the entire territory of San Marino with their 5G network, achieving their previously announced end-of-year target to convert the the micro-state into the first nation in Europe with an active 5G mobile network. The milestone comes after the partners activated the first 5G antenna complying with 3GPP Release 15 standards in Faetano earlier this year. The coverage has now been increased to 99 percent of the territory via the installation of 8 macro sites with 3,500 MHz and 26 GHz antennas, allowing users throughout San Marino to reach potential speeds around 10 times that of 4G via 5G-enabled devices.

In a statement, TIM said 5G prime small cells would shortly be installed to boost coverage in areas with a strong presence. All sites are equipped with Massive-MIMO technology to simultaneously handle dozens of incoming and outgoing radio signals and dynamically adapt to the position of individual users and traffic demand. 

TIM and Nokia said the Republic of San Marino was an ideal site for testing 5G technology in view of its combination of tourist, residential, industrial and agricultural areas, allowing the partners to trial various solutions suited to different requirements.

The operator last week made what it claimed to be Europe’s first 5G NR video call, completed over its network using millimeter wave technology. It’s also carrying out numerous 5G trials in many other cities all over Italy and in October shelled out nearly EUR 1.7 billion to acquire 5G-ready spectrum in the 694-790MHz, 26.5-27.5GHz and 3.6-3.8GHz bands.