Dialog Axiata has expanded its 5G trial network to 15 districts across Sri Lanka as it prepares for the nation’s long-anticipated 5G spectrum auction scheduled for early December. The company said the move marks a major step toward advancing Sri Lanka’s digital transformation and readiness for next-generation connectivity.
The 5G trial network now covers Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, Matara, Batticaloa, Ampara, Trincomalee, Jaffna, and Kilinochchi, with further expansion planned in both urban and rural regions.
“Extending our 5G trials across the country marks another important step in Dialog’s journey to shape Sri Lanka’s digital future,” said Ranga Kariyawasam, Group CTO at Dialog Axiata.
Dialog has been testing 5G since 2018, alongside competitor SLT-Mobitel, as both await spectrum allocation from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL). The process gained traction earlier this month when the Ministry of Digital Economy issued a Notice of Assignment for the 3.5 GHz and 27 GHz bands.
According to TRCSL’s auction schedule, operators have until November 10 to submit bids for 100 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band and 200 MHz in the 27 GHz band. The final bidder list will be published on November 24, with the auction commencing on December 3 and concluding by December 15.
Earlier in 2025, Dialog completed Sri Lanka’s first Voice over New Radio (VoNR) trial on a live standalone 5G network and launched an affordable 5G smartphone in partnership with ZTE, priced at LKR 35,999 (US$120), to drive mass adoption ahead of commercial rollout.
