The 2026 European 5G Observatory event will present the main findings of the 5G Observatory’s 2026 Report, published as part of the 2026 Digital Decade package, and will provide a forum to discuss the role and significance of indicators for monitoring market developments, supporting the Digital Decade reporting process and informing future evidence-based public decision-making in the area of EU connectivity policy.
The first part of the event will take stock of the progress in 5G deployment across Europe. It will assess its level of maturity, examine lessons emerging from roll-out and uptake, and highlight insights from new use cases, including 5G standalone and private networks.
The second part will look ahead to the next generation of connectivity. It will explore possible future indicators for monitoring the 5G evolution, including aspects such as 5G standalone deployment and service take-up, and consider how progress towards 6G could be assessed. In this context, the discussion will also examine how the European 5G Observatory may need to evolve in response to future policy priorities, including the 2026 Digital Decade review.
The workshop is intended to bring together EU and national policymakers, national regulatory authorities, telecoms operators and infrastructure providers, industry stakeholders involved in 5G and private networks, and researchers and experts working on next-generation connectivity. It is designed as an opportunity to exchange views on both the current state of 5G in Europe and the policy, measurement and monitoring questions that will shape the road to 6G.
Survey: inform the discussion and the future work of the 5G Observatory
In order to prepare the discussion as well as to help inform the future work of the 5G Observatory, particularly with a view to monitoring 5G standalone deployment and 6G development, stakeholders are invited to share their views and feedback through a short survey, even if they are unable to attend the workshop. The survey will remain open until 30 June.
Agenda
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9:00 - 9:05 |
Welcome and introductionJean-Luc Lemmens - European 5G Observatory, Project Director; IDATE, CEO and Research Director, Head of the Media and Telecom Business Unit |
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9:05 - 9:15 |
Opening addressMiguel González-Sancho - European Commission, DG CNECT, Head of Unit for Future Connectivity Systems |
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Part 1 |
5G maturity and lessons learned |
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9:15 - 9:35 |
Has 5G taken root?Fireside chat introducing the 5G Observatory’s main findings from its 2026 Report and discussing the implications. Speaker Stéphanie Char -European 5G Observatory, Team Lead; IDATE, Director of the Market Intelligence Business Unit, and Consulting Director for Strategy Moderator Christian Micas - European Commission, DG CNECT, Senior Policy Officer for 5G for Connected and Automated Mobility and 5G Corridors Deployment |
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9:35 - 10:15 |
A world of 5G standalone and private networksPanel discussion on lessons learned; outlook on 5G standalone and private networks in Europe Speakers Robin Leblon - Citymesh, CTO; Partner in Brussels Airport private network, and Project Coordinator of CEF Digital ‘5G for Smart Communities’ project, ‘A Next-Generation Network for the University College of Ghent’ (5GENIUS) Cinzia Campanella - Fastweb + Vodafone, Head of Innovation; Project Coordinator of CEF Digital ‘5G for Smart Communities’ project, ‘5G for a Smart Sicilian Academic Campus’ (5G4ASSAC) Fofy Setaki - OTE, Principal Scientist, Research and Development; Technical Project Manager of CEF Digital 5G along Transport Corridors project: ‘5G Seamless Roaming for the Greece-Bulgaria CBC’ (5G SEAGUL) Moderator Jean-Luc Lemmens - European 5G Observatory, Project Director; IDATE, CEO and Research Director, Head of the Media and Telecom Business Unit |
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10:15 - 10:30 |
Audience Q&AModerator Jean-Luc Lemmens - European 5G Observatory, Project Director; IDATE, CEO and Research Director, Head of the Media and Telecom Business Unit |
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10:30 - 10:45 |
Coffee break |
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Part 2 |
Future 5G indicators and the road to 6G |
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10:45-11:45 |
Panel discussion on:
Speakers Stéphanie Char -European 5G Observatory, Team Lead; IDATE, Director of the Market Intelligence Business Unit, and Consulting Director for Strategy Benedict Gromann - Connect Europe, Senior Policy Manager Erzsébet Fitori - European Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking, Executive Director Joe Lynch - Irish Commission for Communications Regulation, International Unit Analyst; Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), Co-Chair of the Wireless Network Evolution Working Group Heidi Himmanen - Radio Spectrum Policy Advisory Group to the European Commission, Vice Chair Moderator Jan Dröge - European 5G Observatory, Senior Expert; Schuman Associates, Partner |
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11:45-12:00 |
Audience Q&AModerator Jan Dröge - European 5G Observatory, Senior Expert; Schuman Associates, Partner |
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12:00-12:10 |
Closing remarksJohannes Theiss - European Commission, DG CNECT, Head of Sector for Advanced Networking Technologies and Applications |
Last update
17 June 2026