Investments in fibre and LTE networks’ upgrades is key for 5G successful deployment. Aside from acquiring wireless spectrum, MNOs are investing in upgrading existing LTE and fixed networks. Major issue of interests include deploying small cells, 4×4 MIMO, CA…. 5G deployment in Europe will start in urban areas and will later expand to urban areas and major roads.

MNOs investments & Equipment vendor contracts

As 5G preparation is heating up, MNOs start to announce investments they commit to make.

Country MNOs Equipment Vendors Amount Time period Additional information
Germany Deutsche Telekom NA 20 bEUR 2018-2021 5G launch in 2019

Target 99% pop. Coverage (90% geo. Coverage) by 2025

https://www.t-online.de/digital/id_84594270/telekom-chef-gibt-zusagen-fuer-netzausbau.html

UK/Ireland Three NA >2 bGBP  (2.3 bEUR) 2018- 5G launch in H2 2019

62 MEUR in CAPEX in H1 2018/100 MEUR per year (Spectrum, fibre network, 20 new data centres, CA)

http://www.threemediacentre.co.uk/news/2018/three-UK-committed-to-invest-into-5g.aspx

 

France Orange Decision in early 2019 A share of 7.4 bEUR Orange intends to spend 7.4 bEUR in investments in 2018, a 3% increase compared to 2017. Orange will enhance its fibre deployment and the LTE coverage and prepare 5G.
Outside Europe
USA T-Mobile USA

 

Nokia 3.5 bUSD 2018- 5G launch in 2019

Building of a 3GPP 5G NR nationwide network using 600 MHz and 28 GHz spectrum and Nokia’s 5G technology (AirScale radio platforms and cloud-native core, AirFrame hardware, CloudBand software, SON and 5G Acceleration Services)

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/nokia-5g-agreement

 

USA T-Mobile USA Ericsson 3.5 bUSD 2018 5G NR equipment, digital services solutions, including dynamic orchestration, business support systems (BSS) and Cloud Core

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/ericsson-5g-agreement

China All three MNOs (CM, CU, CT) Nokia >2 bEUR 2018-2019 5G launch in 2019

1-year deal

4G radio and fixed access equipment, IP routing and optical transport equipment

Investments dedicated to 4G networks’ upgrade and pave the way to 5G

CM: radio access, core and passive optical networks, as well as IP routing and optical transport, SDN tools, management and professional services

CU: a range of technologies, including 4G, edge computing, virtualized IMS, SDN, IP routing and optical transport and fixed network technologies

CT: improve 4G coverage and hotspot capacity and continue its “5G cooperation”

South Korea SKT Mainly Samsung (5G), Ericsson, Nokia 9 bUSD

(o/w 5 bUSD for 5G)

 

2017-2019 IoT, 5G, IA, autonomous vehicles
South Korea KT 23 trillion KRW (20.5 bUSD) 2018-

2023

5G R&D (5G Open Lab in Seoul), 5G tests and launch, other tech
Japan NTT DoCoMo 1 trillion JPY (8.8 b USD) 2018- 2023 1 trillion JPY on infrastructure (590 bJPY in 2018, up from 570 bJPY initial target)

10 bJPY (80 KEUR) for offering pre-commercial 5G services in limited locations by Sept. 2019 (official target for launch)

 

Latest News in Europe

Italy raises electromagnetic limits to promote 5G deployment

The Ministry of Business and Made in Italy said that the law will promote the development of the Italian 5G economy with high-performance networks.

GSMA launches 5G Connectivity index

The mobile industry association has launched a new interactive index to track the rollout of 5G.

Vodafone Italy completes three-month OpenRAN trial

The mobile operator collaborated with Nokia for the trial, which took place on a live 5G standalone (5G SA) network.

Report: Global Private Wireless Radio Access Network (RAN) revenues are up 40% in 2023

A new Dell’Oro Group report suggests that despite its small size, the private RAN market is growing.

Proximus to acquire more 3.6 GHz spectrum

The Belgian telco has agreed to purchase additional spectrum from an IT services company.

Panasonic opens 5G private network testing environment

B2B technology company Panasonic Connect has opened a 5G hub in Germany.

Proximus and Airbus partner on secure 5G

The companies are launching a business-critical communications solution for the Belgian market.

Orange expands partnership with Google Cloud

The company says it has expanded its agreements to advance its deployment of artificial intelligence.

Report: Worldwide smartphone market up 7.8% in first quarter of 2024

Global smartphone shipments have risen to 289.4 million units.

All news in Europe
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