For many years, the concept of digitalization, which has been circulating in public discourse, now encompasses 88.2% of the population and 87.2% of enterprises, reported the Minister of Communications A. Shvinka to the government.
The number of mobile broadband subscriptions in Latvia (around 2 million) exceeds the population (1.875 million), indicating a very high level of service usage – in fact, one user has several connections, as stated in the ministerial document. – The overall growth rate of 5G coverage in Latvia from 2023 to 2024 is 33.9%, which is higher than the EU average of 6.0%...
Regarding fifth-generation connectivity, however, the term "latency" is applied. The fact is that the geography of Latvia is an obstacle to the proper pace of 5G. The country is small, and 30% of the territory borders someone.
Well, let's say we are not stingy with zones for our Baltic neighbors and for the Baltic Sea itself. But for problematic states in the East... So that they, heaven forbid, direct their drones at our towers?
Therefore, we cannot expect our own unmanned transport throughout the Republic of Latvia: "Currently, the demand for industrial solutions and the management of autonomous vehicles... is limited due to various circumstances of 5G network deployment."
At most, the A. Shvinka office predicts an increase in fifth-generation coverage of another 10% of Latvia's territory in the coming years, but even then it will not reach half. As for the criteria, in addition to the aforementioned transport corridors, 5G will be installed in populated areas with 500+ residents. That is, by our standards, in quite large villages. Then the coverage of Latvians with this standard of connectivity will reach 80%.
"At the same time, in populated areas in rural territories, it may not be commercially viable and, accordingly, state support measures may be required..." – thus, the Ministry of Communications prepares taxpayers for new expenses.
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