5G and 6G Research Testbed Built at HSE Telecommunications Research Institute
The testbed can work with existing equipment and model scenarios that could help develop next-generation technologies.
Russia is preparing to launch 5G services. Making those networks perform reliably will require not only equipment but also research capabilities to determine the best operating parameters. Work in this area is already underway.
A Large-Scale Laboratory Complex
The Telecommunications Research Institute at HSE University (Moscow) has built an experimental 5G/6G testbed. In practice, it is a full laboratory complex that can be used to deploy a working mobile network. It includes computing servers, network software components, radio-link equipment, USRP software-defined radio systems, antennas and measurement equipment. Most importantly, the setup already includes a 5G base station, a core network and a user device, while software components for 6G technology have also been integrated into the testbed.
The testbed has a modular design, allowing researchers to run a wide range of experiments. They can work with real radio equipment or model scenarios defined by the research team.
Key Areas of Research
One area of work involves collecting telemetry from the operating 5G network. Researchers activate the equipment and generate different types of traffic. A dedicated application then collects network-performance data, including transmission speeds, latency at different layers of the protocol stack, the amount of radio resources in use, signal quality, transmission errors and other parameters.
“The value of this experiment is that we are observing a real hardware and software system in operation, rather than an abstract model,” said Evgeny Kucheryavy.
In practical terms, the testbed makes it possible to cover the full development cycle for new technologies. First, researchers calculate the theory on a computer, model different scenarios and select optimal parameters. Those calculations can then be tested directly on the testbed's equipment.
Given the testbed's current capabilities, Evgeny Kucheryavy identifies three main research areas: MIMO, O-RAN with xApp, and IAB. MIMO is directly linked to the development of the radio interface and expanding network capabilities. O-RAN and xApp can move networks beyond simple monitoring toward intelligent control, while IAB enables research into more flexible and distributed architectures for future networks.
Research Has Been Underway for Several Years
HSE researchers have been working for several years on technologies that could shape the future of the telecommunications industry. In 2025, they demonstrated effective operation of a 6G wireless channel in the sub-terahertz frequency range. Data transmission speeds reached 12 Gbps, while the equipment maintained stable signal quality.
Other Russian players are also advancing the field. In 2025, Skoltech received a subsidy from the Russian Ministry of Digital Development to develop critical technologies for equipment used in 5G Advanced and 6G networks. The three-year project involves leading research institutions across the country. Its planned results include base-station software, architectural modules, AI-based network-management systems, digital twins, and specialized technologies for radio photonics and antenna systems.
Technology Base
This type of research could benefit all companies developing and manufacturing domestic base stations. These include Bulat, Irteya and Yadro, whose equipment is already being deployed across dozens of Russian regions. These manufacturers will be able to incorporate researchers' developments into their products and improve their capabilities.
The new HSE research testbed will make an important contribution to strengthening Russia's technological sovereignty and could help the country take a leading position in telecommunications equipment manufacturing.
