The European Union will require approximately €475 billion in EU mobile network investment between 2026 and 2036 to keep pace with global connectivity leaders, according to a new report from GSMA Intelligence. While operators across Europe are expected to invest around €270 billion under their existing network upgrade plans, an additional €200 billion is needed to accelerate 5G deployment, build AI-ready networks, improve resilience and extend nationwide digital connectivity.
Europe’s digital economy is increasingly reliant on mobile infrastructure. In 2025, mobile technologies generated €1.1 trillion in economic value across the EU, even as mobile operators invested nearly €20 billion in network capital expenditure under growing financial pressure.
The mobile industry currently supports almost 600 million mobile connections across Europe, including 370 million unique mobile internet users more than 80 per cent of the region’s population. Of the €1.1 trillion in economic value generated in 2025, approximately €820 billion came from productivity gains enabled by mobile connectivity, while the direct contribution of the mobile ecosystem reached €200 billion. The sector directly employed 1.3 million people and generated €110 billion in tax contributions, underscoring its strategic importance.
5G Adoption Forecast and Digital Decade Targets
GSMA Intelligence forecasts a sharp rise in 5G adoption across Europe over the next five years. By 2030, around 86 per cent of EU residents are expected to subscribe to mobile internet services. At the same time, 88 per cent of all mobile connections, equivalent to nearly 530 million connections are projected to run on 5G, a significant jump from the 43 per cent recorded at the end of 2025.
The European Union has set a target of 100 per cent 5G population coverage by 2030 under its Digital Decade strategy. However, GSMA Intelligence notes that many European countries continue to trail behind leading 5G markets despite substantial EU mobile network investment already committed by operators.
European mobile operators have invested €141 billion since 2021, surpassing the minimum €60 billion mobile investment estimated in an earlier WIK Consult study for meeting Digital Decade objectives. That study also estimated an additional €115 billion would be required for fixed broadband infrastructure, bringing the overall connectivity investment requirement to approximately €200 billion. Despite this spending, Europe has not yet fully achieved its Digital Decade connectivity goals, indicating that further EU mobile network investment and policy reforms remain necessary.
GSMA also highlights rising regulatory costs. Spectrum fees as a share of operator revenue increased from 3 per cent in 2014 to 8 per cent in 2024. The relative cost of acquiring spectrum has nearly tripled over the past decade, placing additional financial pressure on telecom operators already managing tight capital budgets.
€200 Billion Needed for AI, Resilience and Transport Corridors
GSMA Intelligence estimates that Europe requires approximately €200 billion beyond current investment plans to strengthen its 5G infrastructure Europe depends upon. Around €104 billion will be needed to extend 5G network coverage across transport corridors, including roads, railways and waterways. Another €35 billion is required for comprehensive 5G coverage across populated areas, encompassing upgrades to radio access networks, deployment of 5G Standalone cores and satellite backhaul in rural regions.
Improving mobile network resilience will require approximately €38 billion, covering longer battery backup for base stations, satellite backhaul, generator deployment and stronger cybersecurity measures. Building AI-ready networks will demand a further €28 billion in EU mobile network investment, enabling greater automation, improved energy efficiency, lower operating costs and new enterprise revenue opportunities.
Aligning Europe With Global Mobile Leaders
GSMA Intelligence projects that increasing total mobile investment to approximately €475 billion between 2026 and 2036 would raise Europe’s annual mobile capital expenditure to roughly €70 per connection. This level of EU mobile network investment would bring the region in line with leading mobile markets in North America and East Asia.
The report concludes that while operators remain committed to network modernisation, achieving Europe’s ambitions for 5G infrastructure Europe needs along with AI-ready digital connectivity and global competitiveness will require regulatory reforms that improve the commercial case for long-term telecom investment. Without such reforms, the gap between Europe and its global peers in EU mobile network investment intensity risks widening further at a critical moment for the continent’s digital future.