Development of national specialization in 5G technologies within the European Union

Abstract

Nowadays the efforts of not only companies, but also governments in different countries are aimed at the development of 5G technologies. On the one hand, the introduction of 5G is an expensive process that requires investments in the development, deployment and maintenance of infrastructure, the involvement of a large number of market participants and service providers, the creation of a stimulating and regulatory legislative framework, the provision of radio frequencies of a more efficient spectrum, the solution of patenting issues. On the other hand, the introduction of 5G technologies will be aimed at developing the economy of many industries, creating social benefits, reducing energy intensity, and will create new opportunities for companies. Currently, the benefits of the digital economy can be most used by the United States, the Republic of Korea and China, which have the highest rates of 5G adoption in the world. The countries of the European Union are also interested in the development of 5G technologies. We analysed key 5G technologies for 74,940 related patents for 23 EU countries for the period 2012–2021. It is shown that the leaders in the number of 5G patents were Sweden, Germany, Finland, France, the Netherlands and Ireland. It is noteworthy that countries can either focus on developing a small number of technologies, or develop a wide range of them. Since 2018, France, Estonia and Germany demonstrate the greatest number of technological specializations primarily creating inventions related to 5G data processing. At the same time, the USA, the Republic of Korea and China still retain their competitive advantages in fields of basic electric elements and electric communication technique for fifth generation networks. To improve positions in the global technology market the EU countries need to specialize in rarer and more complex technologies and develop national policies in this area.