{"id":14647,"date":"2025-12-09T08:52:56","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T08:52:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/about-us\/regions\/europe\/?p=14647"},"modified":"2026-02-04T10:45:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T10:45:56","slug":"smarter-spectrum-policies-could-ease-europes-mobile-investment-needs-new-gsma-report-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/about-us\/regions\/europe\/general\/smarter-spectrum-policies-could-ease-europes-mobile-investment-needs-new-gsma-report-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"Smarter spectrum policies could ease Europe\u2019s mobile investment needs, new GSMA report finds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

New analysis shows that high spectrum costs \u2013 now tripled compared to a decade ago \u2013 are slowing investment across Europe\u2019s mobile sector, while policy reforms could unlock up to \u20ac30 billion.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brussels, December 9 2025 \u2013<\/strong> Europe\u2019s mobile operators could unlock billions in potential infrastructure investment, accelerating 5G standalone (5G SA) rollouts and boosting the continent\u2019s economic output, if policymakers take a smarter approach to spectrum policy, according to a new study from the GSMA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report, Spectrum pricing and renewals in Europe<\/a><\/em>, written by GSMA Intelligence, sets out how Europe\u2019s long-standing approach to spectrum pricing has contributed to the investment pressures facing the mobile sector today. Analysis shows that total spectrum costs have risen sharply over the last ten years, now representing 8% of mobile operators\u2019 recurring revenues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The findings come as Europe faces mounting pressure to catch up with global peers. Only 2% of Europeans use 5G SA services today, compared with 77% in China and around a quarter in the United States. With the Digital Networks Act in play, Europe has a timely opportunity to shift course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 500 spectrum licences are due for renewal over the next ten years. These licences are crucial for existing coverage and services, largely covering 3G and 4G networks that continue to provide for Europe\u2019s 470 million mobile internet users, and could be a major lever for unlocking critical investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under existing policies and at current prices, operators are expected to face spectrum costs of \u20ac105 billion through 2035. Reforming renewal approaches could reduce this by up to \u20ac30 billion \u2013 and even moderate adjustments could still deliver savings of around \u20ac20 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These savings could be used to address in part Europe\u2019s ongoing investment gap. If \u20ac20 billion or \u20ac30 billion were unlocked by smarter spectrum renewal policies, operators would potentially be able to cover the work needed to upgrade all existing 5G networks to 5G SA \u2013 bringing increased speeds of up to 23% and driving up to \u20ac75 billion in additional GDP over the next decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But to achieve these savings will require policy reform and a unified European approach to licensing and renewals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer at the GSMA, comments<\/strong>: \u201cProviding high-quality connectivity to Europe\u2019s citizens and improving the continent\u2019s competitiveness requires a lot of investment that many operators are struggling to source or justify. Smart reform of Europe\u2019s spectrum policy will have an immediate and enduring impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn particular, renewal costs are a clear opportunity to be smarter in how industry money is assigned. Rather than continuing to use spectrum as a windfall opportunity, policymakers should be more ambitious with their approach to renewals and allow these funds to be directed to support Europe\u2019s ongoing digital goals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The road to 6G<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Europe continues to lag in its 5G journey, spectrum decisions made now will also directly impact the launch and growth of the next generation of connectivity in the 2030s, 6G.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on expected demand, Europe needs to ensure mobile operators have at least 2 GHz of mid-band spectrum by 2030<\/a> to ensure networks do not become congested, while 3 GHz may be needed by 2035.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With sustainable spectrum pricing for the 6G era, the investment cycle can be strengthened and allow Europe to align with global connectivity norms. The report makes the following recommendations for EU policymakers to consider in prioritising the continent\u2019s digital future, with next year\u2019s Digital Networks Act a significant opportunity to enact meaningful reform:<\/p>\n\n\n\n