Petroc Taylor
Research expert covering global developments in the use of data
5G in Europe - Statistics & Facts
Europe’s 5G revolution is well underway. From artificial intelligence (AI) to the internet of things (IoT), the high bandwidth and low latency offered by 5G is powering a range of exciting technological developments across the continent. The critical importance of 5G adoption for digital transformation has been emphasized by both governments and regulators, as the European Union seeks to drive cross border collaboration in the deployment of 5G network infrastructure. The EU Commission’s 5G action plan has set a 2030 target for operators to bring 5G mobile networks to all populated areas, while many non-EU nations have set similar targets for the coming decade.
5G adoption is set to surge in Central and Eastern Europe
Around a tenth of all European mobile data connections currently use 5G, placing Europe third among global regions behind North America and Greater China. The United Kingdom and Germany lead the way among the continent’s four largest economies, with both on track to exceed 90 percent adoption by the end of the decade. Meanwhile, Central and Eastern Europe is forecast to see the strongest growth in 5G connections over the coming years, with an expected growth rate far exceeding that of Western Europe.Bulgaria leads the pack in 5G download speeds
Various barriers stand in the way of consumer adoption, not least the premium placed on 5G mobile contracts. However, many European mobile users remain limited by the lack of 5G coverage in their local area. Population coverage in the EU-27 sits at 81 percent, reaching 100 percent in Cyprus and the Netherlands, but falling to around one fifth in Sweden. In addition, not all 5G networks are of equal quality, with a marked variation in 5G download speeds across Europe. Bulgaria registered the fastest median 5G speed in 2023 at over 300 Mbps, while others failed to exceed 100 Mbps.Shifting consumer habits will increase reliance on 5G networks
The number of IoT devices in Europe is forecast to double by 2030, with connected cars, extended reality headsets and smart factory sensors all requiring real time data transfer. This will see European businesses consumers becoming increasingly reliant on fast, low latency mobile networks, underlining the importance of a successful 5G rollout for the continent’s economic outlook.
