{"id":15794,"date":"2026-05-05T10:40:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T09:40:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/about-us\/regions\/europe\/?p=15794"},"modified":"2026-05-06T08:56:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T07:56:05","slug":"e475-billion-required-for-europe-to-complete-its-5g-journey-and-regain-digital-leadership-new-gsma-study-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/about-us\/regions\/europe\/general\/e475-billion-required-for-europe-to-complete-its-5g-journey-and-regain-digital-leadership-new-gsma-study-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"\u20ac475 billion required for Europe to complete its 5G journey and regain digital leadership, new GSMA study finds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While mobile network operators are forecast to invest \u20ac270 billion in networks by 2035, around \u20ac205 billion more is still required to underpin Europe\u2019s industry, resilience and innovation<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brussels, 6 May 2026: <\/strong>Europe\u2019s mobile operators need to invest almost half a trillion euros over the next decade to upgrade networks to levels comparable with the world\u2019s best, according to new analysis from the GSMA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report, Mobile investment needs in Europe<\/em><\/a>, conducted by GSMA Intelligence, found that while \u20ac475 billion is needed to bring best-in-class connectivity to the continent, only around \u20ac270 billion is expected to be accessible to operators \u2013 leaving an investment gap of around \u20ac205 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It comes as Europe\u2019s digital capabilities continue to lag leading global standards. While 5G standalone \u2013 essentially \u201cfull\u201d 5G, with faster speeds, lower latency, and innovative services and features deriving from network slicing \u2013 is already available to 80% of the population in Greater China and almost 50% in India, in Europe it reaches only 2% of citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Falling behind<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of this is due to the more favourable investment conditions in these non-European markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Capex per connection in Europe is just \u20ac35 compared to \u20ac70 for global connectivity leaders, meaning the bloc remains unable to keep pace and compete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While mobile internet usage has increased every year since 2018 by an average of 27%, operator revenues have fallen by an average of 3% per year over the same period, further restricting available investment capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the financial burden currently sits with the industry itself \u2013 operators themselves put up 85% of the investment into network infrastructure<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A \u20ac205 billion shortfall<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new analysis is a timely update on the European Commission\u2019s own 2023 research<\/a> into the likely cost of achieving the Digital Decade targets. This estimated around \u20ac174 billion, rising to more than \u20ac200 billion, of digital investment was needed by 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, operators have already invested \u20ac141 billion since 2021 and Europe has not yet met those targets, while trailing further behind global 5G leaders. Today\u2019s report finds that of the current \u20ac475 billion investment need to 2035, only 57% is currently forecast to materialise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of the \u20ac205 billion, or 43%, deficit, around half is needed to provide 5G coverage across Europe\u2019s main transport routes (road, rail and waterways). A further \u20ac35 billion is required to extend 5G coverage to the entire European population, while \u20ac38 billion will build greater network resilience and \u20ac28 billion will underpin AI-based services and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closing the gap<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To create the required investment conditions to unlock the remaining 43%, the report outlines three areas of major potential regulatory reform:<\/p>\n\n\n\n