The technology leadership of Makedonski Telekom was also officially confirmed, when in August it was awarded the prestigious acknowledgment of the American company Ookla® for the best mobile network. With continuous strategic investments, the company managed in a record time to complete the final cycle of mobile network modernization. So far, 82% of the population throughout the country can use the 5G technology. At this moment, Telekom is the only one that delivers gigabit speeds of 5G mobile internet in most of the towns in Macedonia, including Skopje. The numbers confirm the leadership also in the segment of fiber optic infrastructure. Telekom has almost 3 times more households covered with fiber optic infrastructure than all other operators on the market together - or almost 300 000 as compared to a total of 100 000 of the other operators.

We talked to Maja Milosavlevska Naumovska, the Chief Technical and IT Officer, about the network investments, the telecommunication trends, the digital transformation and the technology as a basis for sustainable development.

• What will the new technologies bring to us in the upcoming years?

Huge quantities of data are transmitted on the internet on a daily basis. The number of internet users worldwide has exceeded 5 billion and the predictions are that by the end of 2023 there will be 30 billion connected devices. Here, the use of mobile internet per user has increased by as much as 45% as compared to last year. In order to be able to successfully respond to these trends, it is necessary to ensure intensive network expansion, upgrade with new technologies which require great investments and a serious focus on the data security aspect. Concurrently, the new technologies will enable us to achieve our targets within the ESG sustainability program. As for the new technologies, the 5G technology of the latest fifth generation, in addition to offering 100 times higher speed and 1.000 times greater capacity as compared to the other mobile networks, also offers ultra confidentiality, low latency, decreased energy consumption and massive connection. The result is broadband internet that is not only super fast, but also omnipresent. We should also mention the 5G potentials in combination with artificial intelligence and machine learning, extended reality (XR), edge computing and the internet of things (IoT) – this is the future of businesses and it is indispensable for a full digitization of society.

• Telekom has recently been awarded with the prestigious acknowledgement for the best and the fastest network, with the greatest coverage, by the prestigious American company Ookla®. This is an affirmation for you as a company which has always pioneered the new technological eras in Macedonia.

Yes, our company has been awarded with this exceptionally important acknowledgement which is a reflection of the actual network performances. In fact, Ookla® has confirmed the user tests of the internet speeds and coverage. We this award we have also de facto confirmed that we have the best mobile network, a network with a superior speed, the greatest coverage in Macedonia and the best quality. In order to have a clearer picture, I will point out that in terms of the best coverage 50.530 locations in Macedonia were analyzed, while we have the best coverage or a Coverage Score of 796, which is the highest score as compared to the competition. In terms of the network speed, our result, i.e. Speed ScoreTM, is 116.51 out of 83.786 tests performed on 19.580 user devices in all mobile networks. The fact that this international acknowledgement is being awarded to operators with exceptional performances based upon consumer-initiated tests via the Speedtest® apps, makes us proud of everything that we have done thus far and it is our strong motive to continue on the same path. It is a confirmation that our strategy and technological vision are steered towards the right direction and recognized by the customers.

• Over the recent period gigabit speeds have been frequently mentioned. What is required in order to achieve them?

A superior network, intensive and planned expansion and great investments. Telekom’s response is investments in the future! Just last year we had investments of EUR 70 million in the development and maintenance of the network. Our objective is to build a network that will offer ultra fast broadband internet everywhere, by using all the technologies that are available to us. One thing is for sure – we will not stop until we connect everyone and until we provide and guarantee gigabit speeds. We have an ambitious plan for fiber optic expansion, i.e., to significantly increase the number of fiber optic access points built on an annual basis, whereby everyone should be connected to fiber optic by the year 2032.

• Another thing – last year you introduced the 5G technology and you were the first ones on the market to do so. What are your plans in terms of the further steps?

Yes, in just one year we introduced the 5G technology, we deployed it in a short time in 35 towns and their surroundings and, to our pleasure, we may say that we covered 82% of the population in Macedonia. However, the feature that distinguishes Telekom on the market are the gigabit speeds that have become reality for our customers in Skopje, as well as in other towns. I would like to point out that, in addition to Skopje, Telekom is the only operator that delivers gigabit 5G speeds in most of the towns in Macedonia. In 15 towns we are already providing top customer experience with gigabit 5G internet via the frequency band 3.7GHz, based on the massive MIMO technology. In parallel with the introduction of the new 5G technology, we have fully modernized the mobile network: we installed 900 new base stations and we increased the 4G capacity by staggering 70%. As a result of that, we now have gigabit speeds and low latency which is of vital importance for a superior customer experience. This is the greatest technological development in the last ten years on the telecommunications market in the country in general, on the basis of which in the forthcoming years new functionalities will be developed and the digital society will be built.

• Which 5G functionalities will be developed/used in the near future?

We are already working on the application of artificial intelligence via the 5G technology for improving the efficiency of the network itself and a high level of automation for a better customer experience. With artificial intelligence we will be able to detect even the smallest inconsistencies in the operation of the networks and the systems and to intercept or prevent faults without the customers even noticing them. Another very important use of the 5G technology is the fixed wireless access via 5G which will enable us to deliver broadband internet with an ultra high speed in areas with a lower density as an alternative to a fiber optic connection. In addition to this technology potential, the new 5G technology is also the basis for more sophisticated and safer IoT smart solutions, such as smart city solutions, which will contribute for reducing harmful gas emissions since this is the most energy-efficient standard thus far. This is another development area in which the companies can have their contribution. It is very important to raise the awareness of the customers regarding 5G and all the other services offered with the new technology, especially the positive effects on the protection of the environment, as well as on the economic perspectives. This should be a joint effort of all stakeholders involved in new technologies, both the operators and the regulatory bodies.

• Where and when will this combined/hybrid FWA technology be used?

There are certain places where due to various reasons we are unable to install fiber optic, such as in the rural areas where there are access difficulties. With the help of 5G devices, fixed internet will be provided with very high speeds. Furthermore, there are areas where fiber optic should be installed on an emergency basis, but the process of obtaining the required permits is ongoing and it takes a long time. While the process of obtaining permits and constructing the fiber optic infrastructure is ongoing, we are using the 5G technology, thus enabling the customers to have guaranteed gigabit speeds and a quality service. For the first time this year we introduced our integrated broadband strategy and a new model for the construction of a network and putting it into operation. We are continuing with significant investments in the construction of the fiber optic network, relying on three key points: the strategy and a new model for the construction of a network and its putting into operation. It means that we will be building everywhere, especially where there is customer demand for fixed internet. In the event of not being able to provide fiber optic due to justified reasons, we will be using hybrid or FWA in order to guarantee gigabit speeds.

• We have been discussing hybrid solutions with the mobile network and fiber optic. What is the fiber optic coverage at the moment?

We are absolute leaders in this respect. And I am not just saying that. I can substantiate this statement with specific numbers: Telekom has almost 3 times more households covered with fiber optic infrastructure than all other operators on the market together. We are talking about almost 300 000 households covered with Telekom fiber optic infrastructure as compared to a total of 100 000 of all other operators together. In March of this year, the number of our fiber optic users exceeded 100 000. However, regardless of the leading position, we are planning an even more ambitious expansion and massive migration of the customers from copper to fiber optic in the greater part of the capital city, as well as in all other parts of the country where there is fiber optic coverage. The same is happening with the 5G network, where we have been working systematically on the entire territory of Macedonia. There are expectations on the market and we are embracing them in a responsible manner and building the superior network via continuous investments and innovative solutions.

• With the emergence of new technologies the old ones are becoming extinct, copper is being abandoned...

Yes, it is a natural process of replacing the old with the new. As fiber optic expands, in parallel, the old copper infrastructure is being removed. There are municipalities in parts of Skopje that have fully gone fiber optic and we are continuing with an even more dynamic pace, with a view to removing 50% of the copper on the territory of Skopje by the end of the year. We are continuing with this activity until this technology is completely abandoned. Fiber optic guarantees speeds and quality, but it is also a very important component in terms of environmental protection – it drastically reduces the electric energy consumption. Fiber optic transmits data at very large distances and there is no need for boosters, devices being used with copper which consume a lot of electricity. In addition, in order to gain access to copper it is necessary to excavate, which has an impact on the biodiversity, creates additional waste and has a more substantial carbon footprint. Fiber optic cables are made of glass and at the moment they are the most eco-friendly solution. The decrease of the copper quantity that we excavate is crucial for reducing the global warming.

• Alternative electricity sources are sought after everywhere and efforts are being exerted with a view to savings. What is your strategy in this respect?

We are dedicated to environmental protection and to reducing the harmful impact on nature and in this process we are also using the technology. The greatest consumer of electric energy is the mobile network, which comprises approximately 55% of the entire consumption. In order to reduce this trend in the long run, we have already started working of artificial intelligence based features. We are talking about sensors which are installed at the base station locations, measure the energy required at a particular location and send information to a central platform which processes the data. Based upon these data, and also the data on the use of the capacities of each base station in the course of the day, the models developed in a smart manner estimate if it is possible for any of the base stations to operate with a decreased capacity. Thus, not always all base stations work at full capacity and energy is being consumed in a smarter way, which leads to less harmful emissions and greater savings. We are planning to install photovoltaics in the major part of the base stations. We have had this system for several years in the data centre in Skopje, which has yielded savings of more than 20%. Nevertheless, the investments in new renewable energy sources are certainly significant in our operation and that is the reason why they impose the need We have been witnessing continuous and increasingly frequent cyber attacks both on individuals and on entire administrative systems. How can we deal with this phenomenon?

Cyber crime is the other side of the coin in terms of digitization, with data security being indispensible step for maintaining hygiene. Just last year over 500 million ransomware attacks occurred, a number that is continuously on the rise. There have been more and more attacks also on state institutions where the damage is severe and the personal data of hundreds of thousands of people are affected. In addition to compromising the users, these attacks also cause financial losses which, according to the official statistics, have been rising by 12% year on year. Unfortunately, a tarnished reputation may lead to long-term financial consequences, even if the initial financial impact is insignificant. Strong, single-source protection is required instead of combining multiple solutions from various vendors, which cannot guarantee security. Our cyber security solutions guarantee security not only for the individuals, but also for the businesses and the government institution, for which they are tailor-made. Makedonski Telekom has the expertise, the resources and the platforms of the European telecommunications leader Deutsche Telekom. We must understand that data protection is indispensable and it is a priority in times of daily attacks, whose trend, unfortunately, has taken a serious upward movement.

The interview is published on the portal Faktor, september 2023

Press Center

{{Title}}