A1 Macedonia

The 3G network in North Macedonia was initially launched by the predecessor companies of A1 Macedonia. One launched its 3G network in August 2008. Vip launched its 3G services using the UMTS900 band on August 30, 2012, offering speeds of up to 21 Mbps. The network provided widespread coverage across urban and rural areas, ensuring reliable connectivity for voice and data services. However, as the telecommunications landscape evolved, the focus shifted towards more advanced technologies like 4G and 5G. Consequently, the 3G network faced a gradual phase-out, with shutdowns occurring as part of the network modernisation efforts. The exact date of the 3G network shutdown is not specified, but it aligns with the global trend of transitioning to more advanced network technologies.

A1 Macedonia's 4G network has been a cornerstone of its service offerings, providing high-speed mobile internet across the country. The two predecessors launched separate 4G networks in July 2 2014 and August 29 2014 for VIP and One respectively. Over the years, A1 Macedonia expanded its 4G coverage to reach 99.8% of the total population, ensuring comprehensive connectivity for both residents and tourists. The network utilised various frequency bands, including 800 MHz and 1800 MHz, to optimise coverage and performance. By the end of 2022, A1 Macedonia had also begun deploying its 4G+ services with B28, further improving data speeds and network reliability.

The company conducted successful 5G trials in Skopje, achieving impressive speeds of up to 1 Gbps during final testing in October 2021. In July 2022, the Agency for Electronic Communications (AKE) awarded licenses for the 700 MHz and 3.6 GHz frequency bands to A1 Macedonia, enabling the company to proceed with its 5G deployment plans. By the end of 2023, A1 Macedonia aimed to cover one Macedonian city with 5G signal, with plans to extend coverage to main transport corridors by the end of 2025 and all urban areas by the end of 2027. The company continued to invest in its network infrastructure, collaborating with Ericsson to install the necessary base stations and telecommunications equipment. As of the end of 2022, A1 Macedonia had achieved 5G coverage for 56.6% of the total population, with ongoing efforts to expand its 5G presence across the country.