The Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Function has launched a new aid program funded with €17.9 million to expand 5G Stand Alone (5G SA) networks in rural areas still lacking advanced mobile coverage. The program, called Very Rural 5G Networks, will finance deployments in towns where there is currently no 4G or 5G coverage and where operators do not plan to invest in the next three years. Additionally, it includes an uncommon feature for this type of call: local councils and autonomous communities can provide land and infrastructure to help reduce deployment costs.
The key points of the Very Rural 5G Networks program in 30 seconds
- The government allocates €17.9 million to deploy 5G SA networks in areas without mobile coverage.
- The aid targets areas with no existing 4G or 5G coverage and where private investment is not expected in the next three years.
- Operators can leverage sites offered by local councils and autonomous communities.
- Since 2021, the government claims to have invested over €1,453 million in connectivity programs.
- The call remains open until September 10.
Although the budget is modest compared to previous broadband extension programs, the initiative has a very specific goal: to cover the so-called “last white mobile zones”, those municipalities where the market does not find enough profitability to deploy new infrastructure.
The call also reflects a shift in approach. After several years focused on rapidly expanding 5G coverage, the current challenge is to connect the most isolated territories and move towards 5G Stand Alone networks, which are considered key to unlocking the full capabilities of fifth-generation mobile technology.
From mass deployment to 5G Stand Alone
In recent years, Spain has accelerated its 5G rollout mainly relying on Non-Stand-Alone (NSA) networks, a technology that uses the existing 4G core infrastructure.
This model has allowed for quick coverage expansion but does not offer all the functionalities envisaged for 5G.
The new call requires deploying 5G Stand Alone, a fully native architecture that includes a dedicated 5G core network and enables features such as low latency, network slicing, higher spectral efficiency, and massive IoT device management.
For individual users, the difference may not be immediately noticeable since both models provide high speeds. However, for industry and digital services, it represents a much more significant change.
Applications like industrial automation, precision agriculture, connected vehicles, remote monitoring, or critical infrastructure depend precisely on these advanced functions that only a 5G SA network can deliver.
An incentive to deploy where the market does not reach
The program targets exclusively areas where there is currently no 4G or 5G coverage and where no private investment is expected in the next three years.
These areas were identified through a public consultation conducted by the Ministry last March.
The goal is to avoid duplicating private investments and concentrate public resources on territories where the economic return is insufficient to justify commercial deployment.
According to the government, this call continues the connectivity policies developed since 2021, during which over €1,453 million has been mobilized to expand digital coverage through various technologies.
Local councils now part of the deployment
One of the most interesting innovations of the program is the direct collaboration with local administrations.
Before launching the call, the Ministry asked autonomous communities, provincial councils, and municipalities to identify municipal land, existing towers, or public buildings suitable to host base stations.
The consultation received 96 proposals from municipalities across 25 provinces.
Operators can use these sites in their projects, though they are not obliged to do so.
This measure aims to overcome one of the main obstacles in rural deployment: finding suitable locations and obtaining necessary permits in municipalities with limited technical resources.
Additionally, the call creates a reserve pool to replace sites if administrative, urbanistic, or technical issues prevent completing the initial deployments.
The challenge is no longer coverage, but bridging the territorial gap
Spain ranks among European countries with the highest availability of 5G networks.
According to the Ministry, 99% of the population already has 5G coverage, while in rural areas, this figure reaches 96%, up from 26% in 2021.
However, these indicators refer to coverage of the population and do not mean the entire territory has equal access.
There are still small villages, highways, mountainous areas, and very sparsely populated zones where mobile communications remain limited or absent.
This call specifically targets those last locations.
From a budget perspective, the €17.9 million represents a relatively modest investment compared to previous fiber optic rollout programs or other Recovery Plan calls.
However, the small number of remaining sites also means that the financial effort needed to complete coverage is now much lower than just a few years ago.
The next step is leveraging the infrastructure
Extending coverage is only the first phase.
To generate economic impact, public administrations, companies, and productive sectors will need to develop applications capable of exploiting the capabilities of 5G Stand Alone.
Smart agriculture, industrial digitization, remote healthcare services, and critical infrastructure management are common use cases associated with this technology.
The new program aims to ensure these opportunities are not limited to big cities but also reach municipalities where advanced mobile coverage has so far been unavailable.
Applications can be submitted until September 10, after which the evaluation of proposals from interested operators will commence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Very Rural 5G Networks program?
It’s a aid program designed to fund 5G Stand Alone networks in areas where there is currently no 4G or 5G coverage and where private investment is not anticipated.
Why is 5G Stand Alone required?
Because it is the full version of 5G, with a dedicated network core that enables advanced functions such as low latency, network slicing, and increased capacity for industrial and IoT applications.
What role will local councils play?
They can provide land, public buildings, and other sites to help operators reduce costs and speed up infrastructure deployment.
When does the call close?
Applications can be submitted until September 10, 2026.
