Makedonski Telekom launches first standalone 5G network in North Macedonia

Makedonski Telekom is introducing North Macedonia’s first standalone 5G network, also referred to as 5G+ or 5G Standalone. Unlike current 5G services that rely partly on existing 4G infrastructure, this new network features a completely independent architecture designed specifically for next-generation mobile services.

The infrastructure is already in place, with functionalities expected to be activated in phases and made available to users by the end of the year. Key technical advantages include faster application response times, more stable video calls and streaming, and improved performance during periods of high network congestion.

The new technology enables advanced capabilities such as Network Slicing, which allows the network to be divided into virtual segments with different characteristics to prioritize specific services like business video calls, gaming, or industrial systems. It also provides the technical foundation for cloud gaming, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI) applications, and connected devices.