The European Commission published the Digital Decade package today, including a Connectivity Recommendation that should accelerate the deployment of 5G.

The Commission pressed Member States to take “simple and realistic measures” to assign 5G spectrum under “investment-friendly conditions,” as well as to remove unnecessary administrative hurdles and reduce the average time for site permits to 4 months, down from the current 18 months. Countries must provide plans to implement a toolbox of best practices by April 2021. 

“These are boldest steps yet to get the European Commission’s 5G Action Plan back on track. They targeted the tightest bottlenecks: best practices for spectrum auctions and faster site permits,” said Laszlo Toth, head of public policy in Europe for the GSMA. “We are ready to work with Member States on the roadmap and implementing the toolbox.”

Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age, Margrethe Vestager, said: "Public-private investment is necessary not only for the digital transformation we want, but also the recovery."

The GSMA, which represents more than 200 European telecoms operators, stands ready to work with the Commission to achieve many shared Digital Decade goals, including around data/AI, standardisation, climate change and Europe’s single market.

Media Contact:

Noelle Knox, PR Director, Europe
+32 470 45 29 41
NKnox@gsma.com