The European 5G Conference 2022

As part of her annual State of the Union speech last autumn, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced the upcoming governance framework, “Path to the Digital Decade”. This represented a shift from the targets and voluntary measures that have been the focus of previous plans towards more concrete measures and policies. Part of the framework was focused specifically around 5G and included the requirement for member states to develop a multi-year trajectory, outlining steps they have taken and policies they are planning to achieve the target of delivering 5G coverage for all populated areas in Europe by 2030. With a number of countries failing to meet previous deadlines relating to 5G rollout and release of spectrum, this session will look at the extent to which this new framework can address that.

• What new concrete measures and policies relating to 5G were announced as part of the ‘Path to the Digital Decade’ framework?
• To what extent can these new measures help to get 5G rollout across Europe back on track, and to meet the key 2030 targets?
• Do they strike the correct balance between the delivery of more binding policies whilst avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy?
• To what extent will the proposals included in the framework of potential multi-country initiatives help facilitate EU countries joining forces to make it easier for them to raise funding from existing EU programmes and private investors?
• What are the next steps with regards to getting agreement from the European Parliament and member states, and what is the expected timeline ahead?

Investment in 5G features heavily in the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) – the largest component of Next Generation EU, the EU’s landmark instrument for post-pandemic recovery. This signifies a significant paradigm shift in public financing for the sector – never before has so much public investment been available to help drive forward the development of network infrastructures in Europe and boost 5G network rollout. A specific objective for funding has been on multi country projects (MCPs) and the creation of cross-border initiatives that bring together the expertise of several member states to deliver large-scale projects that no single Member State could develop on its own. This session will look at the specific areas that are being targeted with this funding, including plans for deployment of ‘5G corridors’ – networks along major transport paths to enable advanced Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) services. It will look at examples of large-scale MCPs that are starting to emerge, and at the work that is being done by the Commission to support and encourage Member States to use funding from their national recovery and resilience plans to join forces and support these initiatives.

• What public funding is being made available to facilitate innovative and forward-looking 5G related projects, and how can this help to ultimately stimulate private investment in these areas?
• What work is specifically being done by the Commission to support and encourage the development of multi country projects and cross-border initiatives?
• What requirements will projects need to meet in order to access the available funding?
• How are the European Commission working together with the automotive, road and rail sectors to harness the power of 5G in order to meet targets that have been set for pan-European 5G Corridors for Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM)?
• What examples of MCPs in this area have been seen and what co-operation models are emerging?

Europe is home to 2 of the 3 major equipment suppliers and is a world leader in investment in 5G trials and pilots. Despite these facts however however, the overall investment that is being seen in 5G infrastructure is lagging behind other regions and many vertical sectors are slow to identify 5G business cases and embrace the new possibilities that it can bring. This session will look at what can be done to address these issues, and more broadly at the key trends that are influencing the future development of 5G ecosystems. A particular focus will be given to the emergence of OpenRAN and other associated initiatives such as network virtualisation. To what extent are these likely to be a ‘game changer’ for the future development of 5G, and what could this mean for European players?

• What factors are contributing to the low level of investment in 5G infrastructure that is being seen across some member states?
• How can Europe address these and ensure that it is taking advantage of its position of strength in the networks Equipment market for 5G?
• What examples of networks based on Open RAN platforms are starting to emerge in Europe?
• How disruptive are Open RAN and other associated initiatives such as network virtualisation set to be for the 5G supply chain in Europe?
• What might this mean for the development of 5G in Europe in both the short term and long term? What advantages could it bring and what challenges exist?
• To what extent is it important that a harmonsied approach to the development of the 5G ecosystem is achieved, both in Europe and globally?
• Is there a risk that the emergence of OpenRAN risks moving the network equipment market from a European strength (Ericsson/Nokia etc) into an American strength (software companies running their solutions on hardware provided by the big cloud providers e.g. Google, Amazon Web Services)? How can this be avoided?

The last 12 months have seen a continuation of efforts from European policymakers to deliver a common European approach to the cybersecurity of 5G networks. Following the launch of the EU 5G toolbox in 2020, a new cyber certification scheme for 5G has been proposed in an effort to coordinate standards and efforts for 5G security across member states. This session will take stock of the various initiatives and programmes launched in Europe in recent years to bolster cybersecurity and to counter the vastly expanded threat landscape resulting from the roll out of 5G. It will look at how Europe is striving to maintain its global leadership position on cybersecurity, and at work that is being done with partners on an international level to secure the global supply chain.

• What progress, successes and possible shortcomings have been seen with regards to the implementation of the EU 5G Toolbox across member states?
• How is Europe working with other regions to ensure the security of the complex global 5G supply chain?
• To what extent will the proposed EU-wide cybersecurity certification scheme on 5G, in combination with measures identified in the EU 5G Toolbox, be enough to guarantee the robustness and resilience of 5G and future generations and ensure Europe’s cybersecurity leadership position?
• How can this also help to build consumer confidence in 5G security?
• How can emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain be harnessed to help secure the 5G supply chain?
• Following the work that is being done on the EU Mega Constellation, what role can satellites play in deliver secure connectivity for 5G and future networks?

Rollout of 5G networks that has been seen so far has been based almost exclusively on ‘non-standalone (NSA) 5G new radio’ technologies, using enhancements to the 4G radio interface – LTE, LTE-Advanced and LTE Pro technologies. This means that use cases that have been ennabled by 5G so far have all been based around enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB). The other 2 sides of the ‘5G triangle’ of use case scenarios (‘massive Machine Type Communication’ (mMTC), and ‘Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications’ (URLLC)) will only be possible with the next phase of development – changes in the core network and the move to 5G standalone. This session will look at the progress that has been made with this next major step in 5G evolution, the extent to which concrete plans for 5G standalone are starting to emerge in Europe, and the likely timeline ahead.

• What is the current status of operator upgrades to their 5G networks and what plans are emerging for the deployment of 5G Standalone across Europe?
• What is the situation around the rest of the world, and what results have been seen in the few places that have now deployed 5G standalone networks?
• How much urgency is being seen in Europe for the deployment of this next step in the 5G journey? Does this match the scramble to be ‘first mover’ that was seen with initial roll out of 5G New Radio?
• What can be done to help increase the pace of development of 5G Standalone across the region and build momentum across member states to get this done quickly?
• What timeframe can be expected for the full benefits of 5G to be felt for use cases requiring mMTC or URLLC services, and for 5G Standalone services and devices to become widely available in Europe?

5G network rollout are in full swing with in Europe and elsewhere around the world. As we have just seen however, initial network deployments do not use all the capabilities currently defined for 5G. Building on the last session which explored the next step in the 5G journey of 5G standalone, this session will now take things one step further and explore the path towards 6G. It will look at the early expectations and visions for 6G and how it will differ from 5G; as well as the work that is being done to define technical requirements and standards. It will also look at the potential that 6G has to help to contribute to key policy goals and targets around sustainability, and the work that needs to be done to deliver on this.

• How will 6G differ from 5G?
• Should 6G be considered as an evolution of 5G or should we be looking to take a ‘clean slate approach’?
• What were the initial visions and ambitions for 5G, and how many of these may actually remain pipedreams until 6G comes around?
• What is the path to 6G going to look like, and what early work is already being done to shape this?
• What are early expectations and visions and how realistic are these?
• What potential technology trends are likely to play a part in shaping 6G, and how can Europe ensure that it is in a position to take advantage of the benefits offered by these future technologies?
• How can Europe make the most of competitive advantages that it has in areas such as edge computing and cybersecurity to ensure that we do not miss out as this new wave of technologies starts to emerge?
• How important is a co-ordinated European approach in order to deliver this?
• How can 6G help to provide a new approach to delivering sustainability and tackling the UN sustainable development goals?

Across Europe and elsewhere around the world, regulators are putting plans in place to deliver the required connectivity to vertical industries in order to enable them to take advantage the benefits of 5G. Significant divergence in is being seen across Europe, with a number of different models being brought in to allocate spectrum directly to vertical users rather than to mobile operators. This session will explore the impact that these divergent approaches that are being seen might have, and at whether there is a need to look at intervention at a European level to deliver a more co-ordinated approach. Furthermore, it will explore the extent to which this apparent trend towards the use of regulatory intervention to meet the connectivity needs of vertical sectors is necessary. For example, Telenor and Telia were awarded licences in a recent Danish auction, that came with an obligation to make spectrum available for private networks; whilst two other operators, TDC and Three, are both deploying private 5G networks in the country on purely commercial terms. Where is the balance between the use of regulatory intervention and market forces to deliver the required vertical connectivity for 5G?

• Are there advantages to the divergence in approaches to deliver vertical connectivity that is being seen across member states (for example in fostering experimentation and innovation), or will this in the long term hamper economies of scale and constrain scope for private networks in some jurisdictions?
• Is there a need for a more co-ordinated approach in Europe and to what extent is this possible?
• To what extent is there a need for intervention at a European level to encourage this to happen?
• What form could this intervention take and where does the balance lie between coordinating approaches and making allowances for national differences across member states?
• What spectrum bands are most suited for local use and possible development of private networks?
• What work is being done at a European level to study the use of the 3.8GHz – 4.2GHz band to provide a solution to deliver localised broadband connectivity, and what potential does this approach have?
• How successful has the approach that has been seen across many countries of making spectrum (mainly in the 3.5GHz / mmWave bands) available direct to vertical users rather than to mobile operators?
• Should the approach of creating private networks in this way be seen as a threat or an opportunity for MNOs, and what new business models are being facilitated by this move away from the traditional approach?
• Has this led to a surge in the advent of 5G verticals or is spectrum lying around remaining unused?
• To what extent is there actually a market failure when it comes to making spectrum available for private networks that requires regulatory intervention (administrative licencing models, set asides and obligations); or would the issue actually be addressed on commercial terms without intervention?
• With other regions (eg LatAm) just starting to explore options for delivering vertical connectivity, to what extent is there the possibility of delivering a globally coordinated approach?

Mid-band has been critical for 5G rollout to date both in Europe and around the rest of the world. Whilst a large amount of spectrum has now been made available in the 3.5GHz band (and in some cases elsewhere), a recent GSMA study claimed that this is only the start and in order to meet future needs for 5G, an additional 2GHz of mid-band spectrum will be required by 2030. This session will look at the extent to which this figure is a realistic estimate of what is actually required, and at the different bands and options that are available in order to meet these growing needs. Specific focus will be given to the parts of the C-band not yet allocated to 5G (3.3GHz – 3.4GHz and the 3.6GHz – 3.8 GHz), 4.8 GHz, 6 GHz and 10 GHz ranges, all of which will be considered at WRC-23. How can the need for additional bandwidth for 5G be balanced with the needs of other key users across the mid-band frequencies – satellite, WiFi and more?

• Most countries have now completed their 5G awards, and most MNOs now have at least 70-100 MHz of 3.5 GHz spectrum. For how long will this be enough, and where can we find more spectrum for second carriers or increased capacity?
• To what extent is the figure provided by the GSMA study of an additional 2GHz by 2030 an accurate reflection for member states across Europe?
• What scope is there to use spectrum in the C-band to help meet these needs (beyond the 3.4GHz – 3.6GHz section that has already been allocate)?
• What other bands provide options, and to what extent could WRC-23 help to provide a clearer picture?
• How important is it that a co-ordinated approach across the mid-band frequencies is seen in the region, and globally?
• Should the next capacity layer be allocated through traditional exclusive use licences, or could new shared use models emerge?
• How can policymakers balance the requirements of 5G in mid-band frequencies with the needs of other key users in the bands?

The way in which connectivity is provided today is very different to how it was delivered ten years ago. And similarly, as the journey towards the next phase of future wireless connectivity continues, it can be expected that the connectivity ecosystem in 2030 will be very different to that which we see today. With the demand for connectivity set to increase at an exponential rate and wireless communication set to become more and more vital for all aspects of daily lives, connectivity technologies, systems and regulatory frameworks will all need to evolve in order to keep pace. This session focus on what this evolution of the connectivity landscape will look like, and at what needs to be done to ensure that the power of wireless can continue to push our world forward. Focus will be given to new technologies that are emerging; at innovative new ways of finding the bandwidth to enable these; and at the possibility of collaborative new business models.

• What will the overall connectivity ecosystem look like in 2030, and how will it likely differ from today?
• There was a time that mid-band spectrum were considered too high frequency to be used for mobile technology, but this has of course change hugely. As the evolution of technologies and systems continues, how will the demand for different spectrum bands be set to change?
• What scope in the future can be played by terahertz frequencies and other bands that have traditionally been considered as unusable?
• To what extent is the way in which we access spectrum set to change? What role can spectrum sharing and other innovative methods play in increasing spectrum efficiency?
• What new challenges and opportunities might the use of these new bands bring?
• How are technologies evolving, and how might this affect what are currently considered as traditional models of connectivity, and the connectivity landscape more broadly?
• What role can non-terrestrial technologies play in helping to deliver cost-effective and high-capacity connectivity in future wireless networks?
• What scope is there for increased collaboration between mobile and satellite providers, and the emergence of hybrid terrestrial-satellite systems?

One of the targets of the Commission’s digital decade is to deliver 5G coverage to all populated areas in Europe by 2030. Current coverage is estimated to be at around 13%, which shows how ambitious this target to deliver digital equality for all European citizens actually is. For it to be achieved, stakeholders and connectivity providers will need to work together. This session will look at the different technologies, spectrum bands and connectivity models that will need to be part of the solution to deliver this, and at the extent to which regulatory intervention will be required. It will look at what should be considered as the definition of 5G in relation to the targets that have been set, and at how it can be ensured that the different connectivity requirements of communities across Europe can be met.

• How should ‘5G’ be defined in the context of the target that has been set? Should minimum acceptable levels be set in terms of key aspects such as speed and latency?
• How can the level of coverage be monitored and what parameters should be used to do this (number of base stations, population coverage/quality)?
• Can more basic 5G delivered using low-band (ie 700MHz) frequencies be sufficient to meet these targets, or should we be aiming for the additional possibilities that are offered by mid-range 5G?
• How can it be ensured that the connectivity that is required fits with the specific needs to the communities and areas that it is serving?
• Is there a need to introduce regulatory tools such as universal service obligations to help deliver on these targets, or can they be met through private competition alone?
• Where does the delivery of digital equality for European businesses and industrial areas fit within the Commission targets? What needs to be done to ensure that all businesses throughout Europe are given the opportunity to reap the potential that new digital technologies such as IoT, AI, edge computing and augmented reality can offer?
• What technology mix will be required to help deliver the required connectivity? Alongside mobile broadband, what role can fixed wireless access (FWA) play?
• What role can satellite play in helping to deliver the required connectivity, particularly with recent moves that have been seen towards inclusion of satellite technology in mobile handsets?

Small Cell and macro cell technologies are seen as being pivotal to successful 5G rollout and the densification of networks that will be required to meet needs in urban areas. Despite this however, Small Cell adoption across Europe has been relatively slow to date. This session will look at the reasons for this apparent reticence from operators to deploy small cells to date, and at what is being done to encourage and streamline the rollout process going forward.

• What is the situation with regards to roll out of new small cells in Europe?
• Why have so few been seen – is it due to operators reusing existing sites or implementing dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) to reuse 4G spectrum bands; or is it because of red tape and bureaucracy?
• What measures have been taken to streamline and speed up the rollout of 5G networks once spectrum has been allocated? Is there more that could be done?
• What are the current processes relating to acquisition of cell sites across different member states, and is there a need for more harmonisation?
• What is the business case for the use of small cells and macro cells, and what balance should operators be looking to achieve between reusing existing sites and deploying new ones?
• What specific challenges and circumstances arise when considering the delivery of required connectivity indoors and inside buildings? How can this be provided, and how can MNOs and others work together to provide the connectivity that is required?