The GSMA fears that the EU’s “Digital Decade” aspirations may be jeopardised by the region’s slower 5G rollout compared to competing economies. The GSMA noted in its 2022 Mobile Economy Europe report that, as of the end of June, 108 operators in 34 markets have started commercial 5G services. A modest 6% of Europeans have now access to 5G. With 16 percent of its population using the most advanced mobile network technology, Norway is the leader in 5G adoption. Switzerland (14%), Finland (13%), the United Kingdom (11%), and Germany (10%) also exhibit “positive momentum,” according to the GSMA.

The GSMA predicts that the United Kingdom and Germany will surpass other European nations in 5G adoption by 2025, with 61 and 59 percent, respectively.

In comparison, South Korea is predicted to attain 73 percent adoption during the same time frame. By 2025, both Japan and the United States are predicted to reach 68 percent.

Daniel Pataki, GSMA Vice President for Policy and Regulation and Head of Europe, stated: _“Europe is adopting 5G faster than ever before, but a greater focus on creating the right market conditions for infrastructure investment is needed to keep pace with other world markets.

This should include the implementation of the principle of fair contribution to network costs”._

Europe’s 5G network coverage is projected to increase from 47 percent in 2021 to 70 percent by 2025. Approximately one-third of Europeans would remain without 5G coverage. In South Korea and the United States, the GSMA predicts that by 2025, no more than two percent of the population would lack 5G connectivity.

From the GSMA analysis it could be argued that unless there is a substantial acceleration of the 5G deployment, the EU might wind up with a lost digital decade. The enormous expenditures required to accomplish the EU’s ambitious goals may be met with some reluctance due to global unpredictability, but a robust connection is essential for economic recovery.

“Two years into the EU’s Digital Decade, the connectivity target of ‘Gigabit for everyone, 5G everywhere’ has never felt more urgent,” reads the GSMA’s report. “The Digital Europe Programme, the Connecting Europe Facility and the recovery funds provided to EU Member States offer an opportunity for operators to partner with governments to improve connectivity across society and drive post-pandemic economic recovery across the region.”

Sources: Telcoms Tech News.