The European Industrial Roundtable (ERI) association has criticized the pace of 5G deployment in the region. ERI’s membership includes CEOs and chairman of the 55 large industrial companies Europe. The organization calls for better spectrum allocation processes and good incentives for private investment. According to ERI, Europe is “significantly behind” in 5G relative to other large industrial regions. Its report also states that over half of the EU member states do not have commercial 5G services. Furthermore, it claims that even those with 5G services are far behind countries such as South Korea in terms of deployment.
The organization estimates that in European countries with active networks, there are 10 5G base stations per million people. This is very poor if you consider South Korea’s 1,500 stations per million people. It also added that the rate of 4G infrastructure upgrade to 5G is “just as bad”.
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The organization believes that 5G technology is essential for digital transformation and industry innovation. Also, it stated that “although EU member states have two world-leading mobile infrastructure companies actively participating in the global promotion of this technology,” concerns about Europe’s status are increasing.
Martin Lundstedt, Chairman of the ERI Digital Transformation Committee and Volvo Group CEO, added: “In order to close the gap, we urgently need a European agreement to deploy 5G; it will provide for 5G spectrum allocation and operation. We also need a more uniform approach and better regulatory incentives for private investment.”
“5G is the core of our digital future, and digital technology will drive energy transformation, innovation, and a new world full of employment opportunities”. According to him, technology is also an “element” for the EU’s green agreement environmental protection initiative. “Everything is connected together, which is why it is the most basic part of this equation”.
