The development of 5G in Europe

Main article: Development of 5G networks in the world

2022

In Belgium, 5G frequencies sold out for 1.2 billion euros

On June 21, 2022, the Belgian Institute of Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) announced that the sale of licenses for 5G frequencies, as well as existing 2G and 3G bands, brought revenue to the state in the amount of €1.202 billion. Read more here.

Cyprus becomes first EU country with full 5G coverage

On May 2, 2022, Cyprus became the first European Union (EU) member state to achieve 100% population coverage with a 5G network, even in the most remote areas, Cyta announced. The notice came after the network reached the village of Sicopetra in Pitsilia, the last stop on its way to achieving the goal. Read more here.

EU chief auditor: Europe lags behind US, China on 5G development

On January 24, 2022, the European Union watchdog warned that Europe was lagging behind North America and Asia in rolling out 5G networks. EU countries need to strengthen their strategy to counter the attendant risks of national security. According to the department's forecasts, 5G will introduce the world into a digital era in which not only technological innovations, but also vulnerabilities.

There are significant delays in the rollout of 5G networks in member countries and further efforts are needed to address security issues in the rollout of 5G, the watchdog's (ECA) report says. In the US, the start of 5G telecommunications services has prompted complaints from airlines about possible interference with aircraft navigation instruments and disruptions in air travel. The world is rushing to install 5G infrastructure because of its higher bandwidth and data speeds, which promise to transform every area from car driving and livestock to sports broadcasting and merchandise production. In this high-economic race, European Union (EU) countries are moving too slowly because of an inability to do things like allocating radio frequency spectrum for 5G services, according to the ECA.

The ECA said most of the bloc's member countries would not be able to meet the common 5G implementation target set for 2025. When all EU countries will have to provide uninterrupted 5G coverage in urban areas and along major transport routes. By the middle of the decade, only 35% of all mobile connections in Europe will be based on 5G, compared with 51% North America in and 53% in,, and Australia Japan, Singapore South Korea according to a study of the telecommunications industry cited by the ECA. The forecast for 2025 is for,, China Macau and Hong Kong Taiwan is 48%. The lost economic gain for the EU could be significant. 5G is expected to generate exponential growth in data consumption in the block, where services account for about 70% of gross domestic product (). GDP

Citing a separate study of the technology industry, the ECA points out that 5G could bring up to €1 trillion to the European economy and create or change 2 million jobs between 2022 and 2025. However, such economic benefits require much more funds for 5G, the deployment of which in the EU until 2025 could cost almost €400 billion, according to the ECA. These funds should come primarily from mobile network operators, the agency said.

Differences between EU countries in 5G security issues partly explain delays in infrastructure deployment, the ECA said. A key limitation for the European Commission is that decisions on national security issues remain in the hands of member countries. While the EU has developed a toolkit to align national approaches to classifying high-risk 5G providers, there are uncertainties and the whole initiative needs stronger regulatory requirements across the bloc, the ECA said.^[1]

2021

First 5G network launched in Scandinavia

On November 10, 2021, Nokia announced that it had deployed a 5G network for Telia in Finland. The company noted that this project is designed to ensure higher and more reliable network performance, as well as simplify the monetization of assets. We are talking about the first commercial autonomous (standalone) 5G network in Scandinavia. Read more here.

Auction to sell 5G frequencies for $1.8 billion in the UK

In mid-March 2021, an auction for the sale of 5G frequencies ended in the UK, a total of £1.356 billion (about $1.8 billion) was raised. Read more here.

2020

5G frequencies auctioned off in Greece for 372 million euros

On December 16, 2020, an auction for the sale of 5G frequencies ended in Greece, which included six rounds. A total of 372.3 million euros were raised, which is slightly more than the authorities expected (367 million euros). Read more here.

Auction for 5G frequencies ends in Czech Republic

On November 16, 2020, the Czech telecommunication CTU regulator announced the end of the auction for the sale of radio frequencies in the 700 MHz and 3,400-3,600 MHz bands. Five companies won licenses at an auction with 5G a total revenue of nearly CZK 5.6 billion. More. here

Sweden bans Huawei and ZTE equipment from 5G networks

The Swedish Postal and Telecommunications Authority (PTS) has banned the use of telecommunications equipment from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE in its 5G networks. This became known on October 21, 2020.

The move comes ahead of spectrum auctions due to begin on November 10.

The Swedish regulator reviewed the applications and approved four companies to participate in the auctions, which are due to begin on November 10.

A distributed PTS document states that,

according to the law, the decision was made after consultation with the Swedish Armed Forces and the Security Service, held to ensure that the use of radio equipment in the 3.5 GHz and 2.3 GHz bands would not harm the country's security.

Huawei and ZTE products should be gradually decommissioned no later than January 1, 2025, - this is the verdict of the Swedish regulator.

Auctioneers were also warned that dependence on foreign nations should be phased out or replaced by functions or staff based in Sweden.

The decision could benefit Ericsson Nokia rival firms and, and comes amid pressure the European states from outside to Washington reconsider the role of Chinese companies.

Relations between Sweden and China have deteriorated in recent years, the source said. And in September, the Swedish state-owned space company reportedly announced it would not renew contracts with China or accept new Chinese businesses, citing "changes in geopolitics"^[2] from^[3].

OPPO implements UK's first standalone 5G network

On July 14, 2020, the company OPPO announced the first results of a project to create an autonomous network 5G Great Britain in and a 5G segmentation service. The project is being implemented in conjunction with partners - and - Vodafone Ericsson and is an important component of the construction of a 5G autonomous network in. To Europe Read more. here

Sale of 5G frequencies for 1.23 billion euros at an auction in Holland

On July 22, 2020, it became known that the Dutch government received 1.23 billion euros as part of an auction, where three companies - KPN, VodafoneZiggo and T-Mobile - acquired frequencies for the construction of fifth-generation networks (5G). Dutch Economy Minister Mona Keiser spoke about the results of the auction at a press conference in The Hague. Read more here.

Orange and Schneider Electric test industrial application of 5G at factory in France

Schneider Electric and Orange have announced France's first deployment of an indoor 5G network at an industrial facility. This became known on September 30, 2020. Read more here.

US seeks ban on 5G Huawei equipment in Germany

In September 2020, it became known that the Presidential Administration is USA Donald Trump seeking to ban the access of the Chinese company Huawei to the network in Germany. 5G

An American delegation led by US Deputy Secretary of State Keith Krach held talks with German officials in Berlin last week. The US Deputy Secretary of State said that the new security measures discussed by Merkel's government are encouraging, but the issue of banning Huawei's access to 5G in Europe's largest economy remains open.

Krach said that Huawei is the "basis" of surveillance of the Communist Party of the People's Republic of China, and Germany is under some threat from Beijing.

Bloomberg notes that the United States did not receive any guarantees that the Chinese company would not be allowed to 5G in Germany during the talks in Berlin. At the same time, Krach said that the United States "respects" any decision that Germany will make.

5G frequencies in Austria sold out for pennies

On September 14, the Austrian regulator RTR announced the completion of frequency distribution in the 700 MHz, 1500 MHz and 2100 MHz bands at an auction dedicated to 5G. Net proceeds from the auction amounted to 201.87 million euros. Read more here.

Nokia backs rollout of 5G Telefónica networks across Spain

Nokia announced support for a project by Telefónica aimed at providing 5G services to 75 percent of the Spanish population by the end of 2020. This became known on September 10, 2020. The move means Nokia will continue its long-term partnership with Telefónica and remain a provider of 5G wireless solutions for Telefónica across Europe. Read more here.

London turns to Japan for help in building 5G network without Huawei

The British government has asked Japan to assist in the construction of a 5G telecommunications network in the country without attracting equipment from the Chinese company Huawei Co., Nikkei London reported in July 2020^[4].

According to him, London named Japanese companies NEC Corp and Fujitsu Ltd as alternative equipment suppliers. The move reflects efforts by the UK to attract new equipment suppliers to boost competition and reduce costs for the country's wireless carriers, it said.

Earlier it was reported that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered to completely clean the British 5G network from Huawei equipment by 2027.

{{quote 'Minister for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden stated:' 5G technology will be a revolutionary achievement for our country, but only if we have confidence in the safety and sustainability of the infrastructure on which it is built '.

"After the United States imposed sanctions on Huawei, and our experts in the field of cyber technologies updated their technical recommendations, the government decided that Huawei should be banned from our 5G networks," the minister added.

He noted that from January 2021 "not a single new set of equipment will be purchased, and by the end of 2027 Huawei will be completely excluded from British 5G networks."}}

A Huawei official said: "This disappointing decision is bad news for all mobile phone owners in the UK. It threatens to move the UK into slow digital mode, widen bills and deepen the digital divide. Instead of leveling the level with an increase (in competition), the government has decided to downgrade it and we urge them to reconsider this decision. "

Meanwhile, according to The Observer, the British government unofficially told Huawei that the decision to prevent the Chinese company from deploying 5G networks in the UK is due to pressure from the United States.

Earlier, London publicly denied rumors about Washington's influence on the introduction of this ban.

According to the publication, in the days preceding the announcement of the ban on Huawei equipment, intensive behind-the-scenes discussions and the exchange of confidential information took place between representatives of the British government and the leaders of the Chinese company, during which Huawei was told that geopolitics played a role in the decision.

Moreover, writes The Observer, the Chinese side made it clear that the decision could be revised, possibly in the event of the defeat of US President Donald Trump in the upcoming elections.

Last week, it became known about the decision of the British government to ban Huawei until 2027 from participating in the deployment of 5G networks in the UK. Later, the media reminded, Trump said that his administration and he personally convinced many countries not to deal with Huawei because of security risks.

British TV channel Sky News previously claimed that London was pushed to such a decision by US sanctions against Huawei when Washington tried to deprive the company of access to computer chips based on American technology. Because of this, there were fears that Huawei would use unreliable chips. As a result, the British National Center cyber security announced potential threats to Huawei systems for the UK.

In 2019, Washington included Huawei in the list of companies that pose a threat to US national security, and therefore, in order to work with a Chinese manufacturer of telecommunications equipment, American companies need to obtain appropriate licenses.

Mat, spitting and death threats. Under what conditions British engineers are deploying 5G networks

In April 2020, it became known about the massive receipt of threats of physical violence and murder by employees of telecommunications companies in the UK, if they do not stop working on 5G networks, which allegedly lead to the spread of coronavirus infection. This was announced by the Trade Union of Communications Workers, which represents about 40 thousand engineers.

They received about 120 complaints from workers about threats they received, union officials said. At the same time, most of those who reported threats have nothing to do with 5G networks and are engaged in servicing existing towers, one of the functions of which is to provide communication to emergency response services, including to combat the pandemic.

Mike, 28, from North Yorkshire, who has worked as an engineer for 9 years, says: "They shout insults at us, they shoot us on smartphones, ask us why we are building death towers and for what reason we want to fry them."

Various objects were thrown at us. They threatened that they would return with reinforcements to beat us. Some even said that they would shoot us if we did not stop building towers, - said Mike, adding that all these cases made him become more vigilant at work.

Every day you get in a service van, you're overcome by the worry that something can happen. But you have no option but to keep going, taking care of your safety, "added Jake, 24, from Birmingham.

In turn, 26-year-old Sam from Plymouth said that someone had opened his van. For this reason, he decided to remove all the symbols of the telecom operator from the car. Some employees dress in civilian clothes, preferring to leave the branded workwear at home so as not to attract attention.^[5]

In Holland, began to burn towers for 5G networks after Britain

In April 2020, a series of arson attacks on cell towers used to operate 5G networks took place in Holland. Such equipment, according to local activists, damages health and violates people's privacy. Previously, such incidents occurred in Britain.

Cell tower arsonists explain their actions by the relationship between coronavirus infection and fifth-generation networks. We are talking about a theory whose supporters believe that electromagnetic radiation suppresses the human immune system, thereby helping viruses and bacteria to enter the body.

The website of the Dutch government organization for security and counter-terrorism (NCTV) states that in April 2020 it registered "various incidents" that resulted in arson and damage to communication towers.

This is detrimental to development, - said NCTV, stressing the inadmissibility of such actions.

According to Rob Bongelaar, director of The Monet Foundation, which oversees tower placement, telecommunications companies are doing everything possible to keep mobile networks working at such a difficult time when they have to fight the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Having a reliable digital infrastructure is essential. Connections are desperately needed for hospitals and nursing homes... and there are those who deliberately set fires to the towers. It is incomprehensible and unacceptable, "he said.

By mid-April 2020, 5G networks in Holland have not been launched, operators are only testing, but such a confrontation could significantly slow down the start of commercial operation of the technology.

NCTV said that the signal from the towers is so easily blocked that it does not even penetrate the inner layer of the skin, and cellular networks operate at such low power that they are well below the safe limit of radiation exposure.^[6]

British set fire to 5G stations in order to "stop coronavirus"

Residents of the British cities of Liverpool, Birmingham and Merseyside last week set fire to 5G stations, confident that they are the cause of the coronavirus pandemic, the BBC writes in April 2020. Representatives of Vodafone UK told The Verge about fires on four "towers."

At least one set on fire station in Birmingham, owned by telecommunications company EE, does not provide 5G communication services^[7] the^[8].

"Our engineers are identifying the cause of the fire at one of our stations in Birmingham. If it turns out that it was arson, and now everything looks exactly like this, we intend to assist the police of the West Midlands (the county where Birmingham is located - ed.) In catching the culprit. The station serves thousands of subscribers around Birmingham, providing vital 2G, 3G and 4G connectivity for years. We will try to restore coverage as soon as possible, but the damage from the fire is huge, "the company said.

Following the arson attacks, the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports published a refutation of the theory that 5G stations have anything to do with COVID-19.

"We are aware of inaccurate information circulating on the Internet about 5G. There is no credible evidence of a link between 5G and the coronavirus, "the ministry said.

Rumors and "conspiracy theories" about the connection between the deployment of 5G technology and the COVID-19 pandemic spread mainly through social networks. There are several groups on Facebook and Nextdoor with thousands of participants actively posting misinformation about 5G's involvement in the spread of the coronavirus. According to one theory, the outbreak occurred in the Chinese city of Wuhan after a 5G "tower" appeared there. Allegedly, it was the station that became the source of infection, and the virus is transmitted through 5G networks.

Although no scientific evidence of the above theory currently exists, it has many adherents, including global stars. One of them is British boxer Amir Khan, who previously owned the belts of the WBA and IBF welterweight world champion. "Don't you think that the coronavirus is somehow connected with 5G and the'towers' under construction? The virus was created by people and distributed specifically to test 5G, "the boxer said in an interview with BoxingScene.

Nokia announces registration of more than 3,000 patent applications for 5G technology

On March 24, 2020, Nokia announced registration with the European Institute of Telecommunications Standards (ETSI) of more than 3,000 patent families important to the 5G standard. Read more here.

ABB, Ericsson and Swisscom held a demonstration of the wireless control of YuMi robots using 5G

Companies ABB Ericsson and, together with Swiss the operator communications Swisscom , have demonstrated for the first time how 5th generation mobile communication network technologies () 5G can be easily and efficiently controlled over robots a long distance in real time. This was announced on January 27, 2020 by AVV. More. here

2019

Switzerland hosts first 5G wireless data session with spectrum-sharing technology

An important stage in the promotion of 5G technologies was achieved in Switzerland on October 31, 2019. On this day, the first session of wireless data transmission using dynamic spectrum distribution (DSS) through the 5G network was successfully held. This was announced on November 15, 2019 by Qualcomm Technologies, which participated in this event together with Ericsson and Swisscom. Read more here.

Qualcomm Technologies and Siemens create private 5G SA network in industrial environment

On November 29, 2019, it became known that Qualcomm Technologies and Siemens implemented a joint project at the Siemens Automotive Test Center in Nuremberg (Germany) to test the concept, the task of which is to demonstrate the operation of the private 5G SA network (standalone - autonomous architecture) in the frequency range 3.7-3.8 GHz in the real industrial environment. Qualcomm Technologies has provided a 5G test network and 5G industrial test devices that run on basic 5G technologies, and Siemens has provided end-to-end industrial devices such as auto-controlled vehicles ( AGVs). Read more here.

Qualcomm Technologies opens a laboratory in Europe to work with 5G networks

On July 24, 2019, Qualcomm Technologies announced the opening of a test facility for working with 5G networks in Europe. It was a laboratory designed to comprehensively study and test the capabilities of mmWave wireless networks, which is located at Qualcomm Technologies Research Center in Farnborough, UK. In this lab, device OEMs and European mobile operators will be able to test and select the optimal network settings for various mmWave-enabled solutions. Read more here.

Qualcomm and EE launch commercial 5G network in UK

On May 23, 2019, it became known that Qualcomm Technologies, a subsidiary of Qualcomm, and the British mobile operator EE (part of the BT group of companies, formerly British Telecom) announced the launch of a commercial 5G network in the UK and the launch of premium 5G devices based on the Snapdragon 855 mobile platform with Snapdragon X50 modem and Qualcomm Technologies RFFE solutions. Read more here.

Europe's first commercial 5G network launched

On April 10, 2019, Swisscom announced the launch, according to the operator, of Europe's first commercial fifth generation (5G) network. Read more here.

Germany sells 5G frequencies at auction for 2.1 billion euros

In early April 2019, the German Federal Network Agency announced the sale of 5G frequencies worth $2.1 billion as part of an auction. It involves four telecom operators: Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Telefonica and 1 & 1. Read more here.

2018

Ericsson announces first 5G call via smartphone

In early September 2018, Ericsson announced, according to the company, the first call in 5G networks through a smartphone.

The call was made at 39 GHz using the 5G New Radio (5G-NR) standard in non-autonomous mode (Non-Standalone) using Ericsson devices , as well as a modem Snapdragon X50 5G and radio frequency subsystems. Qualcomm The tests took place in the Ericsson laboratory, located in the city of Kista.

Since by the time of testing in the commercial market not a single smartphone with support for fifth-generation networks was created, a prototype of a mobile device in the "smartphone form factor" was used.

According to companies, such tests "are laid even for commercial launches of standard-compliant 5G-NR infrastructure, smartphones and other mobile devices."

Ericsson Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Networks Fredrick Jedling also said that the test complemented compatibility tests in the new millimeter bands, which provide operators with greater opportunities to deploy 5G networks, as well as higher data transfer rates for end users.^[9]

According to analysts at Digitimes Research, the mass distribution of 5G smartphones is expected no earlier than 2021. The first devices compatible with the new cellular standard will hit the market in 2019. According to Digitimes Research estimates, their shipments are unlikely to reach 1 million units.

Meanwhile, according to a survey by IHS Markit among the 17 largest telecom operators, jointly serving 43% of mobile subscribers in the world, 12% of telecommunications companies (all from North America) plan to launch commercial 5G services by the end of 2018. Analysts note that American operators will be the first to master the new standard, followed by South Korean ones in 2019.

Switzerland postpones launch of 5G networks

In early September 2018, it became known that Switzerland had postponed the commissioning of the 5G network, which was originally scheduled for late 2018. The reason for the postponement was the negative reaction of politicians caused by an increase in the cost of the project. In addition, information appeared that the development of the project in Switzerland is hindered by the dissemination by the country's authorities of information about the allegedly harmful impact of radio waves on the health of citizens.

According to Swisscom representatives, the construction of the 5G network has been postponed due to sabotage of the project by political leadership. Due to the current situation, the operator loses profit. For example, in the second quarter of 2018, this figure decreased by almost 9%, while the sales indicator exceeded 2%. Until the end of 2018, Swisscom plans to introduce several pilot zones.

Swisscom had previously launched the FWA test area in the village of Guttannen and also conducted an experiment in Burgdorf. The operator tested the 3.5 GHz frequency and the Ericsson Radio System, Cloud Packet Core and NFVi platforms. Devices using the Intel Mobile Trial Platform, as well as Swisscom SIM cards, were selected for data transfer.

As you know, the auction for 5G frequencies in Switzerland is scheduled for early 2019 - then operators will be able to present ready-made networks.^[10]

Spain begins 5G transition

The transition will be led by the largest Spanish telecom operator Telefonica. The company said that 5G networks will begin to launch this year, VentureBeat reports. IT companies Nokia and Ericsson will become Telefonica's technology partners. Read more here.

The largest operators around the world have begun a race to apply 5G technology. For example, Nokia's 5G networks will start working in Tokyo ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics.

The world's largest telecommunications company AT&T is poised to begin its 5G transition, with AT&T launching 5G in 12 cities by the end of 2018. USA

Deutsche Telekom has announced that it has already launched an experienced 5G network in Berlin.

Notes