Telekom Srbija has deployed more than 46 kilometres of fibre-optic network, 35 advanced radio sites and over 14 kilometres of telecommunications ducts at the EXPO 2027 complex in Belgrade, creating telecommunications infrastructure intended to remain operational after the international exhibition.
The network is being developed around 5G Standalone and Wi-Fi 7 technologies, with around 200 Telekom Srbija employees involved in the programme. EXPO 2027 is expected to bring more than 135 participating countries and approximately four million visitors to the site during the 93-day event, creating concentrated demand for telecommunications capacity.
5G and Wi-Fi infrastructure
The EXPO complex will provide a large-scale operating environment for 5G Standalone, Wi-Fi 7 and Internet of Things applications. 5G Standalone uses a dedicated 5G core network rather than relying partly on existing 4G infrastructure. The technology enables lower latency, increased network capacity and services including network slicing, allowing dedicated virtual networks to be configured for individual companies or applications.
At EXPO, these capabilities can be used across security systems, media operations, connected buildings, visitor services, sensors and large numbers of simultaneously connected mobile devices. The telecommunications infrastructure is also intended to serve businesses and residents in the surrounding area after the exhibition.
Expansion into enterprise digital services
The EXPO project forms part of Telekom Srbija’s broader expansion into cybersecurity, Internet of Things, cloud services, enterprise connectivity and systems integration, alongside its established telecommunications services. The exhibition site provides an operating environment in which those technologies can be deployed across an urban-scale project and used by international companies and governments. The permanent nature of the fibre, ducts and radio infrastructure also means the network can support commercial and residential activity developing around the EXPO site.
Infrastructure for the post-EXPO district
Telecommunications infrastructure installed for EXPO can continue operating after the event rather than being dismantled with temporary exhibition facilities. The fibre-optic network, underground ducts and radio sites are intended to provide capacity for the wider development of the area, including housing, commercial facilities, transport infrastructure and public services.
Installing the infrastructure before the surrounding district is fully developed also provides telecommunications capacity in advance of future demand, rather than requiring networks to be added after construction is complete.
Potential smart-city applications
The network could support applications beyond conventional internet and mobile services, including connected traffic systems, energy monitoring, building management, security, automated logistics, environmental sensors and public services. High-capacity telecommunications connectivity can also form part of the infrastructure required by commercial developments alongside electricity, water and transport networks.
The EXPO site can therefore serve as an operating environment for digital infrastructure and connected-urban applications beyond the exhibition itself. Telekom Srbija has not disclosed the total capital expenditure for the EXPO telecommunications programme or the expected returns from the infrastructure.
Network capacity after EXPO 2027
The permanent assets include 46 kilometres of fibre, 14 kilometres of telecommunications ducts and 35 radio sites. Their continued use will depend on demand from businesses, residents and other users developing around the EXPO location. The four million expected visitors will provide the network with its first large-scale operating environment during the 93-day exhibition, while the infrastructure is designed to remain in place for subsequent use by the surrounding district.
