The European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO) called on regulators to adopt a pro-investment approach to 5G and fiber deployments, aiming particularly sharp criticism at some of the more "punitive" spectrum auctions that it said appeared "designed to extract the maximum bids" as opposed to considering the public benefits of future networks. (See Germany raids telcos for €6.5B in epic 5G auction and Italy's €6B+ 5G Auction Risks Roman Ruins.)

In a new report, titled "The State of Digital Communications 2020" and compiled by Analysys Mason on behalf of ETNO, the association nevertheless offers a more favorable assessment of other increasingly important areas, noting that networks are becoming greener. For example, the carbon intensity of ETNO members is said to have decreased, with emissions at 29 grams per euro earned in 2019, as opposed to 32 grams in 2018.

In general, the ETNO report provides a useful snapshot of where Europe is right now in terms of overall connectivity, with some key stats available:

For more on this topic, see:

— Anne Morris, contributing editor, special to Light Reading