What is the European 5G Observatory?

This site monitors the progress towards the EU’s 5G policy goals. It is funded by the European Commission and from August 2021 has been produced by a consortium of three companies VVAPolicyTracker and LS Telcom.

The 5G Observatory examines issues including 5G coverage; spectrum awards; adoption by new vertical industries like factories and agriculture; and public policies to stimulate 5G’s growth.

Our main focus is 5G in Europe, but we also examine major international markets like the USA, Japan, China and South Korea. Every quarter we produce a detailed report analysing recent developments.

The 5G Observatory started in 2018 and it currently in its third phase. In its first phase it assessed movement towards the policy goals set out in the 5G Action Plan, most of which have been achieved. The key goal was to foster a coordinated EU approach to 5G with the release of the 5G pioneer spectrum bands (700 MHz, 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz) and commercial launches by 2020. This has happened in most member states, but not all. We continue to assess progress in this area.

However, the main focus of the 5G Observatory in its third phase is the EU policy goals contained within the Digital Decade initiative and the 5G Security Toolbox.  These include:

  • 5G coverage of all populated areas by 2030
  • Pan-European deployment of 5G corridors
  • Multi-country 5G initiatives
  • Leveraging EU recovery funds for 5G projects
  • Improving the security of 5G networks
  • Limiting any dependency on a single 5G vendor
  • Stimulating the EU’s capabilities as a 5G equipment manufacturer

To monitor these goals we examine issues such as  5G coveragespectrum awards; and public policies to stimulate 5G’s growth. The adoption of 5G by new vertical industries like factories and agriculture is a particularly important topic because the Digital Decade initiative sees 5G verticals as key to digital transformation for businesses.

Our monitoring comes in two forms: through the news items on this website and in our detailed quarterly reports analysing recent developments.

Our main focus is 5G in Europe, but we also examine major international markets like the USA, Japan, China and South Korea.

The monitoring carried out by Idate Digiworld in the first phase of the 5G Observatory is still available on the archive page. This includes the database of 5G trials.

Latest News in Europe

Telia and Ericsson announce Baltics’ first enterprise 5G private network in Tallinn

The network represents a “significant step in the region’s digital transformation, accelerating business operations and fostering innovations,” the companies said.

Frankfurt pilot transforms street lamps into 5G hotspots

A pilot project by 5G-Synergiewerk GmbH, telecom provider O2 Telefónica and energy supplier Mainova is converting street lights into 5G spots to densify the city’s 5G network.

Vodafone group to cut 11,000 jobs

The company’s new CEO Margherita Della Valle has outlined her strategy to restore growth.

Belgium’s Citymesh gets Nokia Drone Networks platform

Nokia says it will provide 70 Drone-in-a-Box units to Citymesh for its emergency response product.

1&1 to launch 5G in Q3 2023

The German operator has set out new 5G rollout goals, following a failure to hit previous base station targets.

5G Observatory releases latest report and scoreboard

The latest report records increases in pioneer band spectrum assignments, as well as 5G coverage.

Citymesh and Digi to deploy Dense Air small cells platform

The Belgian operator has announced a partnership with infrastructure provider Dense Air Networks.

Telenor Sweden launches new private 5G services

Together with Nokia, the mobile operator is offering private network and network-slicing products.

German regulator expected to fine 1&1 for failing to hit roll-out targets

The emerging fourth operator has failed to hit its 5G base station target by the end of 2022.

all news in Europe
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