Beeline is testing 5G network in 11 Russian cities
Russia's VimpelCom (Beeline brand) has announced the start of network technical modernization and testing of its fifth-generation communication system. Starting May 18, 2026, the 5G icon will appear on users' smartphones in 11 Russian cities, and the network name will change to "bee.test.5G". This is reported by Ixbt.com .
Tests will initially be conducted in Blagoveshchensk, Vladivostok, Grozny, Kaliningrad, Moscow, YAO, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Saint Petersburg, Cherkessk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, and Yakutsk. This feature will activate automatically and free of charge for owners of devices that support 5G technology and have the appropriate software settings.
Company representatives stated that at this stage, internet speed and coverage area will remain unchanged. The main goal of the project is to prepare for a large-scale 5G launch once regulatory issues regarding the frequency spectrum are resolved, and to collect user feedback.
According to Beeline CEO Sergey Anoxin, this step is a significant investment in developing network infrastructure and preparing customer devices for the new generation of connectivity. No additional actions or payments are required from users, as 5G capabilities are already included in existing tariff plans.
