A new study by the 5G for Smart Communities (5GSC) Support Platform offers a detailed overview of the public funding support made available at national level across the EU-27 for 5G deployment. The research spans the 2022–2024 period, while also looking ahead to planned support schemes for 2025–2027. The study captures not only the current state of investment but also highlights best practices, use case trends, and national project repositories.
With Europe prioritising digital leadership and equitable connectivity, understanding public investment trends is vital for policy makers, industry leaders, and communities.
Highlights
- €2.44 billion invested in 5G pilot projects by 10 of 27 Member States over the past three years
- 90% of funds allocated to 5G infrastructure roll-out (access and backhaul)
- Only 10% dedicated to 5G use cases, either standalone or combined with infrastructure projects
- Spain and Italy accounted for the majority of the total budget, focused primarily on infrastructure
- Seven countries funded 5G use case projects, targeting key sectors (main verticals addressed: transport, defence & security, and healthcare)
- Seven Member States plan to launch new 5G support schemes in the next three years. More initiatives may follow, depending on emerging national needs
The 5G Community Survey was developed as part of the 5G for Smart Communities Support Platform efforts to help stakeholders stay informed about the latest developments and trends in 5G pilot projects across Europe, while also supporting the replication and scaling of these initiatives.