5G in Europe: Achievements in 2024, Challenges, and the 2025 Outlook

key achievements of 2024

1. widespread network expansion
   significant strides were made in 5g deployment, extending coverage to rural and underdeveloped areas across europe. the adoption of 5g standalone in major markets has reduced the digital divide, paving the way for innovative business models built on advanced connectivity.

2. strengthening enterprise use cases
   sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and automotive embraced 5g, utilizing mobile private networks (mpns) and exploring network slicing capabilities. these solutions have driven operational efficiency, enabling applications such as predictive maintenance and real-time remote control.

3. advancement of openapis
   a groundbreaking consortium led by ericsson, major communication service providers (csps), and google spearheaded the push for openapis. this initiative aims to standardize and streamline the integration of 5g capabilities, fostering interoperability and opening new monetization opportunities for digital services.

challenges to overcome

1. profitability of investments
   despite extensive deployment and industrial interest, monetization remains a hurdle. in saturated markets, consumers often see 5g as merely an upgrade from 4g, complicating the return on investment for operators.

2. fragmented ecosystem
   europe’s varied regulatory frameworks and adoption rates across countries create fragmentation. this limits economies of scale and hinders cross-border solution deployment, such as spectrum allocation for 5g mobile private networks.

3. knowledge gaps among businesses
   many enterprises, particularly smes, lack awareness of 5g's potential benefits. this knowledge gap continues to slow adoption in traditional industries.

outlook for 2025

1. focus on innovation and collaboration
   with the infrastructure in place, 5g must now drive digital transformation. multinationals will scale global solutions, while smes can leverage tailored approaches to boost competitiveness.

2. emerging use cases
   integrated with technologies like edge computing and ai, 5g will support new real-time services such as autonomous fleet management and connected healthcare. the ability to gather and analyze data quickly and accurately will revolutionize enterprise operations.

3. harmonized regulations
   the european union is likely to advance uniform regulatory frameworks, fostering greater collaboration and innovation across member states.

4. emphasis on sustainability
   sustainability will remain central, with 5g contributing to energy efficiency and aiding europe in meeting climate goals through reduced energy consumption in critical sectors.

2024 has been a transformative year for 5g in europe, marked by significant progress and ongoing challenges. as we approach 2025, the focus must shift to amplifying 5g’s business and societal impact, reinforcing its role as a driver of innovation and competitiveness. by doing so, europe can continue to lead in shaping a connected future.