Croatia needs infrastructure to introduce the fifth generation cellular network technology (5G) as soon as possible, it was heard at a meeting held by Croatian Economy Minister Darko Horvat and executives of telecommunication companies in Zagreb on Tuesday.

During the meeting, which was held at the Economy Ministry, the director of the Zagreb-based Institute of Economics (EIZ), Maruska Vizek, outlined some of the expected effects of the fast implementation of the 5G networks.

An analysis made by the Institute shows that an investment of HRK 1.26 billion from 2020 to 2024 would enable 70-percent coverage of Croatia by the 5G network, whereby about 470 settlements within urban communities and tourist destinations and motorways would be covered, said a press release issued by the ministry.

Investments in this sector can create more than 4,200 new jobs and have subsequent economic effects of nearly HRK 2.5 million.

The press release reads that the participants in the meeting concluded that it was now an ideal moment to start introducing the 5G networks in Croatia.