European 5G scoreboard
Overview of 5G developments
This page (last updated in October 2023) provides an overview of the state of 5G in the European Union. Below you will find maps and charts about 5G population coverage, 5G rollout and 5G spectrum awards.
Map: 5G coverage
Darker green indicates higher coverage
≤20% ≥20% ≥40% ≥60% ≥80% 100%
81% 5G coverage of populated areas
Reporting period: Up to end-2022; Next update planned for end-2023
Please note: This is a general indicator that does not presume any particular quality of service measures. All 5G coverage is included, including that using DSS.
Location covered by at least one operator.
Sources: 5G coverage of populated areas and spectrum assignment data is sourced from the DESI index; Base station data is from the European Commission, via the Digital Decade Committee which is the successor of the Communications Committee (COCOM)
Chart: 5G base stations as a percentage of existing 4G base stations
Total of 356,000 5G base stations in EU27
For some EU countries, only the total number of 5G base stations is known. This means the true total number of base stations in the EU in 700 MHz, 3.6 GHz or DSS bands may be higher. Additionally, some countries use bands that are not included in this chart and do no operate using a DSS configuration.
Reporting period: The data for Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Sweden was collected between September – October 2023. The data for Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Netherlands, Croatia, Ireland, Malta, Slovakia and Spain was based on the latest available data from the January – March 2023. The data for Luxembourg was collected from the end of December 2022. The data for Finland and France was collected from the end of August 2022.
Chart: Percentage of pioneer bands assigned
71% of pioneer bands assigned
Reporting period: Up to October 2023
Please note: Countries need to assign 60 MHz in 700 MHz; 400 MHz in 3.6 GHz and 1000 MHz in 26 GHz to receive a 100% score.
Map: Pioneer bands assigned by country
Reporting period: Up to October 2023
Please note: Countries need to assign 60 MHz in 700 MHz; 400 MHz in 3.6 GHz and 1000 MHz in 26 GHz to receive a 100% score.
International 5G scoreboard
Overview of 5G developments
This page provides an overview of the state of 5G internationally. Below you will find tables and charts about 5G rollout and 5G spectrum awards in major international markets.
Table: Comparison of 5G rollout in international markets
Reporting period: 5G base station data collected between July 2022 – July 2023; Population data collected July 2023; 5G subscriber data collected between July 2022- July 2023
Please note: There may be discrepancies between the reported figures, as the method for calculating the number of base stations is not standardised between regions.
Sources: Data on subscriber numbers and base stations were collected from various sources including regulator announcements.
Chart: Authorised 5G spectrum in international markets
Reporting period: Up to September 2023
Please note: For the EU, the data represents spectrum that is harmonized across the EU27. Some individual countries may have more spectrum assigned for 5G, while some may have less or none.
USA data shows all spectrum made available to mobile operators by the FCC. Not all of this spectrum will have been sold to operators so the final amount of spectrum assigned to operators may be slightly lower.
For further information about methodology, see the section on ‘5G Spectrum comparison between EU and other world regions’ in the full 5G Observatory report.
Table: Main bands authorised for 5G in international markets
