MWC 2025-EU behind US and Asia in developing high-speed broadband

At MWC 2025, European telco leaders emphasized that the continent has fallen behind the US and Asia in developing high-speed broadband networks, particularly in 5G.

This lag is attributed to several factors:

Regulatory challenges. European telco leaders, such as Marc Murtra of Telefónica and Margherita Della Valle of Vodafone, have called for regulatory reforms to facilitate industry consolidation. They believe this is crucial for European operators to compete with their counterparts in the US and Asia. They argue that current regulations hinder the ability of European telecom companies to grow and invest in new technologies.

5G performance and adoption. Despite increased 5G availability, Europe trails behind other regions regarding adoption and performance. In Q4 2022, 5G connections accounted for only 7.4% of total mobile connections in Europe, compared to higher percentages in the US, South Korea, and China. The Nordics and some Eastern European markets have shown better 5G performance than the major European economies like the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy.

Spectrum costs and fragmentation. The high cost of acquiring spectrum licenses is a significant burden for European operators. This, combined with regulatory fragmentation across member states, limits the ability to invest in network infrastructure and expand services efficiently. The GSMA has advocated for a more harmonized approach to spectrum policy to address these challenges.

Investment and economic factors. The financial crisis, high energy costs, and reduced consumer spending power have constrained operators’ ability to invest in 5G networks. The deployment cost of 5G across the EU is estimated at around €400 billion, with operators yet to see substantial investment returns.

European telco leaders at MWC 2025 emphasized the need for regulatory support, industry consolidation, and increased investment to bridge the gap with the US and Asia in high-speed broadband development.

CT Bureau