Telekom Srbija has deployed more than 46 kilometres of fibre-optic network, 14 kilometres of telecommunications ducts and 35 advanced radio sites at the EXPO 2027 complex, creating permanent telecommunications infrastructure for the new urban district being developed around the exhibition site.
The network is being built around 5G Standalone and Wi-Fi 7 technologies, with around 200 Telekom Srbija employees involved in the programme. Infrastructure requirements are being designed for the concentrated connectivity demand expected during EXPO 2027, when more than 135 participating countries and approximately four million visitors are expected over the 93-day event. Unlike infrastructure intended solely for temporary events, the fibre, ducts and radio network will remain operational after EXPO, providing telecommunications capacity for the surrounding development.
5G Standalone and Wi-Fi 7 infrastructure
The EXPO complex will provide a large-scale environment for deploying and operating 5G Standalone, Wi-Fi 7 and Internet of Things technologies. 5G Standalone uses a dedicated 5G core rather than relying partly on existing 4G infrastructure. The technology supports lower latency, higher network capacity and functions including network slicing, which allows dedicated virtual networks to be configured for particular companies or applications.
At EXPO, these capabilities can be used across security systems, media operations, connected buildings, visitor services, sensors and large volumes of simultaneously connected mobile devices. The same network infrastructure will remain available for companies and residents using the surrounding district after the exhibition.
Telekom Srbija expands enterprise technology activities
The programme forms part of Telekom Srbija’s activities in areas beyond traditional mobile, broadband and television services, including cybersecurity, IoT, cloud services, enterprise connectivity and systems integration. The EXPO site provides an operational environment in which these services can be demonstrated to international companies and governments. The company could also use the completed infrastructure as a reference project for similar telecommunications and digital infrastructure projects elsewhere in Southeast Europe.
Network designed for long-term urban use
The permanent nature of the telecommunications assets gives the EXPO infrastructure a role beyond the exhibition itself. Fibre-optic cables, underground ducts and radio sites can continue providing connectivity as residential and commercial development expands around the exhibition complex. The network can support development in the wider Surčin area, including housing, commercial facilities, transport infrastructure and public services.
Installing telecommunications capacity before the surrounding district is fully developed also avoids the need to retrofit infrastructure after buildings and other urban systems are already established.
Infrastructure for connected urban services
The network can support applications extending beyond conventional consumer internet services, including connected traffic systems, energy monitoring, building management, security, automated logistics, environmental sensors and public services. For commercial developers, high-capacity connectivity is increasingly part of the infrastructure required alongside electricity, water and transport networks.
The EXPO area can therefore provide an operating environment for applications associated with connected urban infrastructure. Telekom Srbija has not disclosed the total capital expenditure for the EXPO telecommunications programme or the expected returns from the infrastructure. The completed network includes 46 kilometres of fibre, 14 kilometres of telecommunications ducts and 35 radio sites, providing telecommunications capacity for the EXPO complex and the surrounding district beyond the event.
