- Digital Transformation
Latest analysis of 5G roll-out in Europe reveals slow progress
Deployment of 5G in Europe is being outpaced by other regions
BRUSSELS, 18 SEPTEMBER 2020: As agitated geopolitics and disinformation cast a shadow on the deployment of 5G technology in various countries, the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) today releases an Assessment paper on the roll-out of this important telecommunication technology in Europe.
With the realisation that 5G is an essential strategic component of Europe’s digital transition and a driver of the next generation of industrial innovation, concern is growing that Europe is far behind other world regions, in spite of being home to two globally leading mobile infrastructure companies, actively engaged in the global rollout of the technology. The implications are multi-dimensional, affecting citizens’ access to faster connectivity, virtual and augmented reality services and industrial competitiveness in areas such as artificial intelligence, B2B data-sharing, cybersecurity and the Internet of Things.
The ERT paper identifies a clear lag in the launch of 5G commercial services with more than half of the EU-27 yet-to-launch such services.
On the deployment of infrastructure, only ten 5G base stations per million capita have been deployed in 5G-active EU Member States, compared to one thousand five hundred base stations per million capita in South Korea.
Europe fares equally poorly in upgrading 4G base stations to 5G as well, with just one percent having been enhanced this way, compared with ninety-eight per cent in South Korea. This is also due to legacy issues from the delayed roll-out of 4G in many EU Member States. The share of subscriptions using 4G networks in the US, China and elsewhere is significantly higher – another factor which puts 5G roll-out in Europe at a significant disadvantage to other world regions.
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The Assessment paper follows an earlier paper on the regulatory framework for 5G¹ issued by ERT in March of this year. One of the critical factors in the roll-out of 5G commercial services is spectrum availability – in several EU Member States, telecom operators have been allowed narrower bandwidth in mid-spectrum, than other countries in Asia. This, combined with significant variations in spectrum licensing auctions in some EU countries, is hurting the bloc’s ability to scale up the technology, in line with its ambitions.
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The ERT Assessment of 5G Deployment Status in Europe – produced in partnership with international consultancy Global Counsel – can be downloaded here.
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
¹ The ERT Position on the Regulatory Framework for 5G can be downloaded here:
https://ert.eu/documents/ert-position-on-the-regulatory-framework-for-5g/
The acceleration of the digital transformation experienced during the first half of year has provided a pointed and timely reminder of why Europe urgently needs to invest in 5G roll-out. Europe has significant industrial strengths which can underpin 5G deployment, yet as this latest assessment report shows, it is lagging behind other regions in both commercialisation and infrastructure for 5G. Only a third of EU countries had assigned mid-band spectrum by the spring of this year – a performance far behind South Korea, China and others. We have to do better.
To close the gap we urgently need a ‘European deal’ to roll out 5G ̶ one which delivers a more harmonised approach to 5G spectrum, assignment & operation and better regulatory incentives for private investment. 5G is at the heart of our digital future - and digital will empower energy transition, innovation and a whole new world of employment opportunities. It is vital to the success of the EU Green Deal. Everything is connected – that’s why this is such a fundamental part of the equation.
The acceleration of the digital transformation experienced during the first half of year has provided a pointed and timely reminder of why Europe urgently needs to invest in 5G roll-out. Europe has significant industrial strengths which can underpin 5G deployment, yet as this latest assessment report shows, it is lagging behind other regions in both commercialisation and infrastructure for 5G. Only a third of EU countries had assigned mid-band spectrum by the spring of this year – a performance far behind South Korea, China and others. We have to do better.
To close the gap we urgently need a ‘European deal’ to roll out 5G ̶ one which delivers a more harmonised approach to 5G spectrum, assignment & operation and better regulatory incentives for private investment. 5G is at the heart of our digital future - and digital will empower energy transition, innovation and a whole new world of employment opportunities. It is vital to the success of the EU Green Deal. Everything is connected – that’s why this is such a fundamental part of the equation.