St. Petersburg Opens Lab to Train Next-Generation Telecom Equipment Developers
A new laboratory equipped with advanced, one-of-a-kind hardware has opened in St. Petersburg, enabling hands-on study of end-to-end telecom technology processes.
The Industry Needs More Trained Specialists
When discussing the development of the telecom industry, the focus is often on high-tech equipment. But hardware alone is not enough. Equally critical are skilled professionals who can not only operate complex systems but also design and improve them. Talent development is essential.
To address this gap, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University LETI has launched Russia’s first laboratory dedicated to advanced wireless technologies. The project was implemented in partnership with LLC Infocommunication Networks Laboratory, one of the country’s largest developers of network equipment.
“We have one of the strongest schools in the country for training highly qualified specialists in radio engineering,” says Oleg Markelov, Head of the Department of Radio Engineering Systems at LETI. “However, when it came to hands-on design experience and working with real, modern systems, particularly base stations supporting 4G and 5G connectivity, there was a clear gap.”
Inside the Lab
The laboratory’s hardware complex currently consists of three core testbeds that replicate key components of modern communication systems, including base stations, the core network, the IMS platform, the transport network, and subscriber terminals. Engineers from LLC Infocommunication Networks Laboratory provide real-time technical and methodological support.
The first testbed is a full-scale replica of LTE and 5G systems. It allows students to study the complete data transmission process between mobile devices and network infrastructure, including base stations and the core network. Participants can explore equipment architecture, protocol stacks, functional procedures, handovers and roaming, network management and monitoring systems, as well as DDoS attack scenarios and mitigation techniques.
The second testbed, known as ASTK, is an automated technical monitoring system for mobile networks. Comparable equipment does not exist elsewhere in Russia or internationally. It enables detailed study of network condition monitoring and fault detection methods.
The third testbed is a laboratory model of a hybrid wireless network consisting of modems, client devices, and a router. Using this setup, students can generate, manage, and analyze traffic, explore optimization techniques, and study protection mechanisms against cyberattacks.
Part of a National Digital Program
The laboratory was launched as part of Russia’s national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State.” The program includes nationwide deployment of LTE connectivity in all settlements with populations above 1,000. Full coverage of federal highways is planned by 2031. For 5G infrastructure, deployment targets include cities with populations over one million by 2028 and cities with more than 500,000 residents by 2030.
Other Russian laboratories are also engaged in wireless communications research. In 2018, Skoltech Wireless was launched at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology as an advanced center for wireless communications and the Internet of Things. It is now considered one of Russia’s leading hubs for 5G mobile network development.
5G Test Zones Across Russia
In 2024, Deputy Minister of Digital Development Dmitry Ugnivenko announced plans to create a nationwide network of 5G test zones. The project timeline extends through 2030. According to the ministry, the initiative includes building a unified Internet of Things network capable of managing remote sensors and supporting centralized data collection and processing without direct human involvement.
The expansion of research laboratories focused on communications technologies is seen as a key step toward strengthening Russia’s digital sovereignty. It also helps close the gap between theoretical education and hands-on experience with real 4G and 5G infrastructure. In practical terms, this approach builds the competencies of future engineers responsible for designing, deploying, and maintaining the country’s telecom networks.
