Europe Commits 106 Million Euros to Accelerate 5G Network Deployment Across Borders

2026-01-30 data

Brussels, Friday, 30 January 2026.
The European Commission has allocated substantial funding to transform digital connectivity through 12 large-scale 5G pilot projects, marking a pivotal investment in the continent’s technological infrastructure. These initiatives will establish 5G corridors connecting major transportation routes from Paris to Brussels and extending coverage across rural areas in Romania and Bulgaria. The funding strategy divides equally between cross-border 5G corridors and smart community applications, representing Europe’s ambitious push toward achieving complete 5G coverage in populated areas by 2030.

Strategic Distribution of 106 Million Euro Investment

The European Commission has structured its EUR 106 million allocation across two distinct categories: 6 projects focused on ‘5G Corridors’ receiving EUR 53 million, and 6 projects dedicated to ‘5G for Smart Communities’ also receiving EUR 53 million [1]. This funding represents part of a broader investment strategy, as total funding under the first CEF Digital Work Programme has reached EUR 327 million, supporting 78 5G projects across Europe [1]. The initiative aligns with the European Union’s Digital Decade target, which aims for full 5G coverage in all populated areas by 2030 [1].

Cross-Border Connectivity Projects Lead Investment Priority

Among the most significant recipients, the 5G HSL EUROLINK WORK project will receive EUR 21,147,500 to install 5G infrastructure along the cross-border rail section between Paris and Brussels, with SNCF RESEAU serving as the project coordinator [1]. The WAVEO project, coordinated by WINGS ICT SOLUTIONS TECHNOLOGIES PLIROFORIKIS KAIEPIKOINONION ANONYMI ETAIREIA, will establish 5G services along the TEN-T Orient East/Med Corridor between Romania and Bulgaria, providing 5G standalone coverage along 310 km of peri-urban and rural area in Romania and 10 km of rural area in Bulgaria for EUR 6,384,148 [1]. The 5G-BEAM project ensures uninterrupted 5G coverage along the 424 km Brenner corridor from Italy to Austria, connecting Modena to Kufstein, with EUR 8,699,585 in EU contribution coordinated by SOCIETA PER AZIONI AUTOSTRADA DEL BRENNERO [1].

Healthcare Innovation Demonstrates 5G’s Transformative Potential

The practical applications of 5G technology are already materializing in healthcare settings. On January 19, 2026, France launched its first 5G smart hospital at CHU Bordeaux through the 5MART HO5PITAL project, a partnership between Bouygues Telecom Business and Bordeaux University Hospital [5][6]. This initiative, selected for funding under the European Commission’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in 2025, will deploy 5G infrastructure across 18 hospital buildings starting in the second half of 2026 [5][6]. The CHU Bordeaux serves over 1 million patients annually, with more than 300,000 hospital stays, 810,000 outpatient consultations, and 140,000 emergency visits, making it an ideal testbed for 5G healthcare applications [5].

Technical Architecture Enables Advanced Medical Applications

The Bordeaux hospital project utilizes a hybrid Private Network built on 5G Standalone (SA) architecture, incorporating Bouygues Telecom’s frequency bands, edge computing, dual connectivity for both public and private 5G, and centralized core network management with security-by-design principles [6]. From 2027 onwards, the deployed solution will support approximately ten use cases designed to improve patient and healthcare professional experience, including connected ambulances, 3D modeling in surgery, and connected glasses for surgical procedures [5]. Vincent-Nicolas Delpech, General Director of Bordeaux University Hospital, emphasized that ‘5G is a major strategic lever for the development of tomorrow’s hospital applications, directly benefiting both our patients and professionals’ [5].

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5G technology European funding