Digi aims to fill spain's rural coverage gaps with 5g sa

Spain's Ministry for Digital Transformation has launched a plan to end the country's notorious 'coverage holes' with a focus on 5G Technology. Dubbed '5G Redes Muy Rurales', the initiative aims to bring high-speed mobile connectivity to remote, underserved areas. Digi, the low-cost operator, sees an opportunity to expand its presence in these regions.

Leaving starlink's footsteps

Following Starlink's failed attempts to reach these rural zones, the government is pinning its hopes on a more practical solution – the 5G network. The only requirement to access the €30 million in EU funding is for operators to have their own infrastructure in place. This criterion is met by the three giants, Movistar, Orange, and Vodafone, as well as Digi, which recently acquired its own network.

The 5G SA (Stand Alone) Technology will provide the fastest speeds in these hard-to-reach areas. While Movistar and Orange have been expanding their 5G networks, Digi is set to make significant inroads with a major investment.

Collaboration key to success

The program also emphasizes local collaboration. Operators can request municipalities to provide public land or spaces for installations, speeding up the rollout of 5G SA. Furthermore, the government encourages operators to share infrastructure to cover the entire territory, with a single tower potentially serving customers from multiple providers. This approach minimizes visual impact and reduces costs.