GSMA: How Europe Can Improve its 5G Digital Infrastructure

According to new research from the GSMA, the European telecommunications sector requires immediate regulatory reform to maintain its competitive position in global markets.
Europe's position as a telecommunications technology leader faces challenges as infrastructure investment lags behind other regions.
The transition to 5G networks, central to enabling technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), requires significant capital expenditure from operators amid an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
- Mobile penetration reaches 520 million subscribers in 2024, representing 88% of Europe's population
- Mobile data consumption per user increases from 3.8 GB in 2019 to 15.3 GB in 2024
- European operators complete 44 legacy network shutdowns by Q3 2024, representing one-third of global network decommissioning
These infrastructure challenges emerge as mobile networks support rising data consumption and new enterprise services. European operators maintain networks serving 520 million subscribers while implementing technologies to reduce energy consumption and improve spectrum efficiency.
Confronting a growing infrastructure gap
Mobile penetration in Europe reached 520 million subscribers by the end of 2024, representing 88% of the population, according to GSMA's Mobile Economy Europe report for 2025.
The telecommunications industry association forecasts this figure will increase to 527 million subscribers by 2030. It also indicates that the European mobile ecosystem generated €1.1 trillion (US$1.13tn) in economic value through 2024, with projections suggesting an increase to €1.2 trillion (US$1.23tn) by 2030.
“Europe is at a crossroads in its development of the digital infrastructure that its businesses and citizens will need to succeed,” says John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer at GSMA. “It is concerning to see it falling further and further behind other large markets around the world.”
5G technology, which provides increased data speeds and reduced latency compared to 4G networks, reached 30% penetration across European mobile connections by the end of 2024, equivalent to 200 million connections. This places the region behind both East Asian and North American markets in terms of adoption rates.
Five European nations so far have achieved 5G adoption rates exceeding 40%: Germany, Norway, Finland, Switzerland and Denmark.
"Europe is at a crossroads in its development of the digital infrastructure that its businesses and citizens will need to succeed."
“The mobile industry brings more than €1 trillion (US$1.03tn) to Europe's economy as well as millions of jobs and its role as a key enabler of commerce, logistics and innovation needs to be prioritised and strengthened,” John adds.
GSMA: Modernising European networks
European operators are also leading global efforts in retiring legacy networks, with 44 network decommissioning projects completed by Q3 2024, representing one-third of worldwide network shutdowns.
The region expects to complete over half of planned network retirements by 2025.
These network sunsets, industry terminology for the decommissioning of older network technologies, enable operators to improve energy efficiency and reallocate radio spectrum for 4G and 5G services.
Mobile data consumption in Europe increased from 3.8 GB per user in 2019 to 15.3 GB in 2024, necessitating continued network investment from operators.
The GSMA Open Gateway initiative, which standardises network APIs for developers, has secured commitments from 67 operator groups globally. European operators represent over 20% of participating companies in the programme, which covers 75% of global mobile connections.
Likewise, European telecommunications companies have implemented AI technologies to enhance network security, optimise operations and improve customer service delivery. The region's operators maintain a focus on emerging technologies as European regulatory bodies develop frameworks for satellite and non-terrestrial network connectivity.
With this in mind, the GSMA report identifies several policy areas requiring attention to strengthen Europe's digital infrastructure. These include establishing equitable conditions in the internet value chain and implementing investment-focused spectrum policies.
Current regulatory frameworks may impede growth targets, with the report highlighting the need for reforms to support network performance improvements and increased consumer adoption.
John explains: “Urgent action is needed from the European Commission and other authorities within the European Union to deliver the policy reforms that Europe's digital economy needs to support strong, sustained network innovation and to re-establish a leadership position in the global technology marketplace by 2030.”
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