Europe’s journey with 5G technology is both promising and challenging. according to recent research, the adoption of 5G across the continent is projected to reach 80% by 2030, potentially injecting a staggering €164 billion into the economy. yet, despite these optimistic forecasts, Europe’s uptake of 5G continues to trail behind other regions.
By the close of 2024, 5G connections in Europe stood at 30%, slightly above the global average of 24%. Though, this growth rate pales in comparison to regions like North America, East Asia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council states, where operators are already pivoting towards next-generation networks.
“Urgent policy reforms” are essential, as stated by industry experts, to “drive a step-change in access to investment across” Europe and ensure the region remains competitive. Without these reforms, the proliferation of 5G and its advanced variants could face critically important hurdles.
By 2026, 5G is expected to dominate Europe’s mobile technology landscape. Countries like Germany and Switzerland already see the majority of their connections running on 5G, while denmark, Finland, Norway, and the UK boast adoption rates exceeding 40%. As of September 2024, 18 European operators had launched standalone 5G networks, but regulatory challenges remain a barrier to widespread adoption.
“Europe is at a crossroads in its progress of the digital infrastructure that its businesses and citizens will need to succeed. It is indeed concerning to see it falling further and further behind other large markets around the world,” remarked John Giusti, GSMA’s chief regulatory officer. He emphasized the mobile industry’s €1 trillion contribution to the economy, advocating for swift policy reforms to “support strong, sustained network innovation and to re-establish a leadership position in the global technology marketplace by 2030”.
To address these challenges, the GSMA has called on the European Commission to finalize digital single market policies, ensure fair internet value chains, and review merger regulations. These steps,experts argue,are crucial to fostering a robust digital ecosystem that can keep pace with global competitors.
