“In order to be able to deploy the pan-European 5G as soon as possible, we first have to agree on a common timeline for the allocation of the new spectrum. At today’s meeting, we had a lively debate on the 5G Action Plan, and the Member States had a very positive attitude about reaching this agreement. The 5G Action Plan approved by the Telecommunications Directors will advance to the Council of Telecom Ministers of the European Union, taking place in December this year. We hope to be able to add the 5G Action Plan to the successes of the Estonian Presidency,” said Tõnu Nirk, Head of the Telecommunications Department at the Ministry of the Economic Affairs and Communications.
In July, the EU Telecom Ministers signed the 5G Declaration in Tallinn confirming the willingness of the Member States to promote Europe as the leading 5G market. The Telecom Ministers Council held in Luxembourg on 24 October gave the Communications Directors the task of agreeing on more detailed steps to share the 5G frequencies by 2025.
In addition, Estonia as the President of the Council of the European Union gave a review to the Telecommunications Directors on the state of play of the Telecommunications Code in the Council. The meeting also hosted a discussion on how to accelerate gigabit information society goals and increase investments in next-generation communications networks.
At the same time Estonia is trying to stay ahead of the European game in 5G development. In September during the EU Digital Summit Telia, Ericsson and Intel Corporation created the first public live 5G network in Europe in the Port of Tallinn. Previously, Telia has announced that it will deliver 5G services to the city of Tallinn in 2018.
Big players in 5G tech anticipate a huge opportunity for telcom operators who address industry digitalization through 5G. A worldwide revenue potential of USD 582 billion is foreseen by 2026, according to Ericsson.
