Starting December 2, 2025, mobile users in Serbia will notice that the top-right corner of their screens, where mobile data usage is displayed, will no longer show “4G” but “5G”.
The new internet network will be available to subscribers of MTS, Yettel, and A1, according to mobile operators. They obtained the necessary permissions from the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (RATEL).
RATEL stated that issuing these individual licenses allows all three operators to commercially offer 5G services, marking a major step towards the modernization of mobile networks and better services.
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of wireless telecommunications, improving upon previous networks: 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G. It enables faster data transfer, wider coverage, and near-zero latency, according to MTS.
Beyond speed, 5G is designed to allow massive device connectivity, which is important for gaming, streaming, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, notes the Encyclopedia Britannica.
How 5G Works
Like previous mobile technologies, 5G networks rely on radio waves—a part of the electromagnetic spectrum—transmitted between antennas and your device. However, 5G uses higher frequency waves, allowing simultaneous high-speed internet access for many devices.
To connect to 5G in Serbia, users will need compatible devices and to be within a covered area. Mobile internet speeds can reach up to 1.5 gigabytes per second for downloads and 150 megabytes per second for uploads, several times faster than previous speeds, according to MTS.
The network also reduces latency and provides more stable streaming, benefiting gamers and streamers.
Health concerns and conspiracy theories
Some have expressed concern about electromagnetic radiation and potential health risks, including cancer. However, Dr. Frank De Vocht, a mobile safety advisor, told the BBC that while some studies suggest a possible statistical risk for frequent users, current evidence does not justify precautionary measures.
5G requires more relay towers, but each operates at lower power than 4G towers, meaning overall radiation exposure is lower. UK government guidelines indicate that radio frequency fields in public areas are far below recommended safety levels.
Despite this, some conspiracy theories falsely linked 5G relays to COVID-19 spread, leading to incidents of vandalism in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Canada, according to the Faculty of Computing.
