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 EY BelgiumPolicyTracker 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 6 months, 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 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

Germany bans Huawei and ZTE from telecommunications network

By the end of 2026, mobile operators will have to remove equipment from their core networks, and by 2029 wider network components must also be replaced.

Telefónica and Nokia to collaborate for private 5G offering in Spain

The companies have signed a three-year agreement to drive the deployment of private networks.

New white paper on the future of telecommunications published

The paper was published through a programme funded by the European Commission.

5G Observatory releases latest report

The newest edition of the 5G Observatory bi-annual report has now been published.

Netherlands completes 3.6 GHz spectrum auction

The country is the last EU Member State to make the band available for 5G.

O2 Telefónica to expand 5G network on German motorways

The German mobile operator has signed a cooperation agreement with Autobahn GmbH to improve coverage.

Spain extends mobile operator spectrum licences by 10 years

The Spanish Ministry of Digital Transformation will extend the licences at no extra cost.

German regulator expands its mapping tool to track 5G standalone deployment

The Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA) says the new tool provides a “clear overview” of where the technology is available.

Latest Ericsson Mobility report reveals mixed picture for Europe’s 5G progress

Ericsson has launched its latest Mobility report, which features data on global mobile deployments.

All news in Europe
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