BUDAPEST, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Hungary could launchhigh-speed 5G mobile networks before the end of this year ifplans remain on track, the head of the U.N. internet andtelecoms agency said on Tuesday after speaking to the Hungarianprime minister.
Hungarian regulator NMHH published draft documentation inJune for the sale of more than 400 megahertz of 5G spectrum forthe next-generation wireless network that is expected to serveself-driving cars and real-time communication between machines.
Unlike some other regional states, Hungary has dismissedU.S. security concerns about 5G technology provided by Huawei,saying it would treat the Chinese firm like any other technologysupplier.
International Telecommunication Union Secretary-GeneralHoulin Zhao said he had asked Prime Minister Viktor Orban when5G commercial service could be launched in Hungary.
"I was told that progress is quite good and if everythingwill be developed according to schedule, perhaps before end ofthis year Hungary will start 5G commercial services," Zhao saidduring a speech at ITU Telecom World Conference in Budapest.
The main mobile network operators in Hungary are DeutscheTelekom unit Magyar Telekom, Vodafoneand Telenor.
The minister in charge of innovation and technology, LaszloPalkovics, told the conference that Hungary aimed to wrap up 5Gspectrum tenders by October and his ministry would then submit astrategy paper to the government on the applications of 5G.
Palkovics had said in June that Hungary aimed to start 5Gservices at major industrial sites in 2020 and said the networkshould cover all big cities and main transport routes by themiddle of the next decade.
He told Reuters that 5G tenders could raise about 70 billionforints and also said Budapest was "very glad" major players in5G technology, such as Huawei, were involved in Hungary inproducing and designing systems.
Washington has led a global campaign to convince its alliesto ban the world's top telecommunications equipment supplierfrom 5G mobile networks. Huawei has denied the U.S. allegationsthat its technology represents a security threat.(Reporting by Gergely Szakacs;Editing by Edmund Blair)