Country to invest further EUR 500 mln in rural 5G build

The Spanish government is set to double the amount invested in bringing 5G technology to digital divide areas this year with a new initiative aimed at localities with less than 10,000 inhabitants. After approving an investment of EUR 500 million for the deployment of 5G backhaul equipment in rural parts of the country earlier this year, Spain’s Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure, Maria Gonzalez Veracruz, said a further EUR 500 million is being made available under the ‘5G Redes Activas’ programme.

The additional funding is designed to eliminate differences in connectivity between urban and rural areas and reach June 2025 targets ahead of schedule, said the official, according to business daily El Economista. The ‘5G Redes Activas’ programme is also designed to boost the creation of ‘Temporary Business Unions’ with operators that already own rights to use 5G frequencies for the provision of the corresponding equipment, added the report.