Скриншот видео
The restriction on the amount of high-speed data available under unlimited mobile plans has achieved its intended goal, Communications and Informatization Minister Kiryl Zaleski said in an interview with Belarusian television.
“Overall, it has achieved its objectives. Our mobile networks have been relieved of some of the load, and there has indeed been a certain shift in traffic from mobile internet to the Wi-Fi segment. Therefore, I believe the decision was the right one. Frankly, looking at the practices of other countries, we find confirmation that such measures are also adopted elsewhere. Truly unlimited internet at the maximum available speed, without any restrictions and for a small fee, is something we hardly see anywhere.
It is either a matter of price or a matter of certain limitations. I believe we have introduced reasonable restrictions. I would stress that mobile internet is not disconnected. Once the 30 GB threshold is reached, the speed is reduced to 1 megabit per second, which is still sufficient to comfortably use basic services,” he said.
According to Zaleski, last year marked the first time that the growth rate of network capacity exceeded the growth rate of data traffic consumption. He said network capacity in Belarus increased by 28% last year and by a further 17% since the beginning of this year.
“This year alone, more than 900 base stations operated by the infrastructure operator have already been commissioned, and by the end of the year the total number of base stations launched in 2026 will exceed 2,100.
We are also expanding efforts to optimize the use of the radio frequency spectrum. In March this year, in the eastern regions, the 800 MHz spectrum allocated for mobile communications in rural areas was doubled from 10 MHz to 20 MHz. We are now taking steps to free up spectrum in this band in the western regions so that it can be brought into operation by the end of the year,” he said.
The rollout of 5G technology is also continuing in Belarus. The technology is currently available in Minsk and the regional capitals.
“Time will show whether it makes sense to expand it to smaller population centers. But today, I think many of us have already experienced the results of this work. Unfortunately, not all smartphone manufacturers have enabled this mode in Belarus, but it is already available on a very wide range of devices, where the 5G icon appears and users can experience the corresponding speeds.
I can speak from personal experience. I might not have believed it myself, but at October Square I measured 1,086 megabits per second — that is, more than one gigabit per second. I measured it myself, so the technology is delivering results and the networks are becoming less congested,” Zaleski added.