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 346,000 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 Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Sweden was collected between September – October 2023. The data for Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Netherlands, Croatia, Ireland, Malta, Slovakia and Spain was based on the latest available data from January – March 2023. The data for Luxembourg was collected from the end of December 2022. The data for Finland, France and Portugal 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

Latest News in Europe

Court rules in favour of Dutch 3.6 GHz plans

The decision paves the way for the Ministry to hold its planned auction of the band next year.

Bulgaria assigns 700 MHz & 800 MHz bands

The Communications Regulatory Commission (CRC) has awarded licences to A1, Vivacom and Yettel Bulgaria.

O2 Telefónica Germany starts construction of gigabit rail route test

Together with project partners Deutsche Bahn, Ericsson and Vantage Towers, the operator has started building a network along a test track.

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.

All news in Europe
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