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 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

Emerging operator 1&1 to launch OpenRAN network

The German company says it will launch its own network on December 8th.

EU 5G and 6G funding initiative announces 2024 work programme

The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) programme earmarks €129 million in funding for 6G projects.

Tele2 Latvia 5G data consumption grows

The mobile operator says consumption of mobile data in its 5G network has grown 13x this year.

Latvia auctions more 3.6 GHz band spectrum

An additional 50 MHz has been assigned to local operators Tele2 and LMT.

5G Observatory releases annual stakeholder workshop summary

If you missed the workshop first held on the 26th of October, a summary report is now available for download.

Orange Spain to use 5G for fire prevention

The mobile operator will use a combination of technologies to prevent fires at agricultural sites and warehouses.

4iG promises to boost 5G investment

The Hungarian telecoms firm has signed an agreement the the Government to expand its network.

Netherlands opens up 3.6 GHz band for local 5G networks

Local 5G network permits will be available from December 2023.

Vodafone Germany accelerates 5G deployment near railways

Vodafone says it has built over 225 new mobile masts since the start of the year.

All news in Europe
Subscribe to our mailing list