El Gobierno convoca ayudas por 17,9 millones para llevar el 5G a la España vacía

The Spanish Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Function has announced a program to bring the 5G network to rural areas, with a public investment of 17.9 million euros. This initiative, called '5G Networks in Rural Areas,' aims to encourage the deployment of cutting-edge mobile infrastructure in regions lacking 4G or 5G signals from commercial operators.

Of the total amount, 15.6 million euros come from the Pluriregional Spain program of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the 2021-2027 period, while the remaining 2.3 million euros are allocated through the national budget. The deadline for companies to submit applications is September 10, 2026. The program specifically targets mobile white spaces, including dispersed villages, isolated agricultural areas, and secondary roads where private operators have not deployed due to lack of economic profitability.

The network must operate using 5G Stand Alone (5G SA) or native architecture, enabling download speeds of over 100 Mbps and reduced latency independent of the existing 4G core network. This is a change in the source of funding for digital infrastructure deployment in Spain, as the program now relies on ERDF funds from the cohesion policy to continue public investments in connectivity, which have surpassed 1.453 million euros since 2021.

The Secretary of State for Telecomunications and Digital Infrastructures will evaluate bids based on cost efficiency, implementation time, and integration of sustainable energy solutions, such as solar panels.