5 G Consultation launched today - Main contents

The standardisation race has fully started: Some countries like South Korea, China and the US are already moving ahead with plans for an early launch of 5G - although it was agreed that global allocation would take place only in 2019[1]. Therefore, Europe also needs to shift up a gear for a speedy introduction of 5G.

This is what we are now doing, with the preparation of the 5G Action Plan that I announced at the last Mobile World Congress. This plan, which we aim to present to the Member States before the end of the year, includes a set of actions to allow for a coordinated 5G launch in Europe around 2020.

We are launching a consultation today to improve our understanding of such a complex operation. We seek your views on key issues such as the best date for the introduction of 5G in Europe, the core services to consider as priority, and the desirable spectrum to be used for 5G. Other important aspects include the right approach towards standards, regulation, investments, and the tools for a coordinated introduction.

This exercise will help us refine our strategy for the development of 5G in Europe. I count on all stakeholders to provide us with their valuable contributions on these complex matters.

[1] World Radio Conference of the International Telecommunication Union.