Strategy of the Republic of Croatia
The main goal of the introduction of 5G is to cover the entire territory of Croatia with the signal of high quality, thus stimulating economic development and enabling all citizens a better quality of life. By means of further development and implementation of the 5G network it will be expected to develop digital skills, create new jobs and new possibilities for using technology in all industries.
Further technology development will significantly affect the quality of internet availability in remote areas, especially in rural areas and islands, as well as in all areas where it is not possible or commercially profitable to physically bring optical infrastructure. Due to Croatia’s geographical features and its shape, high-quality coverage is of exceptional importance for raising the quality of life in these areas.
Commercial 5G networks for providing services in Croatia are not yet in operation, and currently all three mobile communications operators test the functionality of 5G technology. The first commercial 5G services are expected in the city of Osijek, which was selected as the first Croatian 5G City by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
One of the objectives of the EU 5G Action Plan is to identify at least one larger city in each Member State in which 5G signal coverage and commercial provision of services will be achieved by the end of 2020. HAKOM, together with the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (MMPI) and representatives of all three mobile communications network operators conducted a series of activities during 2019 in order to propose to the Government of the Republic of Croatia one or more candidate cities. As a result of these activities, the MMPI has sent a draft conclusion to the government which, due to the optimal relationship between technical, scientific and economic preconditions, is proposing the City of Osijek for the first Croatian 5G city. The Government adopted the proposal on 23 January 2020. Osijek was chosen as the very first Croatian 5G City. Furthermore, the selection of Osijek for 5G City does not only meet EU objectives, but aims also to contribute to the development of the eastern part of Croatia.
The 700 MHz frequency band is currently used for digital television. In order to be used for 5G, it is necessary to switch digital television to frequencies below 694 MHz, as defined in the National Action Plan (NAP). The transition of digital television to the standard DVB-T2/h.265 (HEVC) will simultaneously be achieved. Due to measures that combat the Coronavirus epidemic, after HAKOM had postponed the transition to a new television broadcasting system in March, OIV – Digital Signals and Networks Ltd. (OIV, Croatian broadcast infrastructure operator) announced that the transition to a new DVB-T2/HEVC broadcasting system would start at the end of October 2020. According to the OIV announcement, 27 October 2020 was set as a new start date. The transition will run until 12 November 2020 and it will take place in digital regions, in line with the issued licenses by which the transition must take place by the end of 2020. For more information on deployment of digital regions as well as any other additional information please contact the following link.
Parts of the 3.6 GHz band are currently already in use in Croatia. Before allocating the spectrum to 5G, HAKOM will harmonise its current usage.
The 26 GHz frequency band is fully available in Croatia.
Further technology development will significantly affect the quality of internet availability in remote areas, especially in rural areas and islands, as well as in all areas where it is not possible or commercially profitable to physically bring optical infrastructure. Due to Croatia’s geographical features and its shape, high-quality coverage is of exceptional importance for raising the quality of life in these areas.
Commercial 5G networks for providing services in Croatia are not yet in operation, and currently all three mobile communications operators test the functionality of 5G technology. The first commercial 5G services are expected in the city of Osijek, which was selected as the first Croatian 5G City by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
One of the objectives of the EU 5G Action Plan is to identify at least one larger city in each Member State in which 5G signal coverage and commercial provision of services will be achieved by the end of 2020. HAKOM, together with the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure (MMPI) and representatives of all three mobile communications network operators conducted a series of activities during 2019 in order to propose to the Government of the Republic of Croatia one or more candidate cities. As a result of these activities, the MMPI has sent a draft conclusion to the government which, due to the optimal relationship between technical, scientific and economic preconditions, is proposing the City of Osijek for the first Croatian 5G city. The Government adopted the proposal on 23 January 2020. Osijek was chosen as the very first Croatian 5G City. Furthermore, the selection of Osijek for 5G City does not only meet EU objectives, but aims also to contribute to the development of the eastern part of Croatia.
The 700 MHz frequency band is currently used for digital television. In order to be used for 5G, it is necessary to switch digital television to frequencies below 694 MHz, as defined in the National Action Plan (NAP). The transition of digital television to the standard DVB-T2/h.265 (HEVC) will simultaneously be achieved. Due to measures that combat the Coronavirus epidemic, after HAKOM had postponed the transition to a new television broadcasting system in March, OIV – Digital Signals and Networks Ltd. (OIV, Croatian broadcast infrastructure operator) announced that the transition to a new DVB-T2/HEVC broadcasting system would start at the end of October 2020. According to the OIV announcement, 27 October 2020 was set as a new start date. The transition will run until 12 November 2020 and it will take place in digital regions, in line with the issued licenses by which the transition must take place by the end of 2020. For more information on deployment of digital regions as well as any other additional information please contact the following link.
Parts of the 3.6 GHz band are currently already in use in Croatia. Before allocating the spectrum to 5G, HAKOM will harmonise its current usage.
The 26 GHz frequency band is fully available in Croatia.