Poland 5G Legal Framework

The development of new digital technologies in general and particularly the development of the fifth-generation wireless communication networks (5G) is a high priority of the Polish government, seeing it as a flywheel for the Polish economy. The implementation of a 5G network, if carried out efficiently, could benefit the Polish economy in the amount of $17 billion by 2028. 

The National Broadband Plan, adopted by the Polish government in 2020, adapts Polish plans for the development of electronic communications networks to the objectives set by the European Commission with the goal to provide access to modern electronic communication services. According to the Plan, by 2025 Poles will have universal access to internet at a minimum of 100 Mb/s bandwidth or higher. In addition, internet with a minimum of 1 Gb/s bandwidth will be available in selected areas seen as the driving force for social and economic development such as schools and universities, transportation hubs, areas with high demand for public e-services as well as companies heavily utilizing internet in their business. The Program also foresees that the 5G networks would cover all major roads and rail lines as well as the main cities in the country. 

Poland plans to base the 5G networks on the currently auctioned 3.4-3.8 GHz frequency, the 26 GHz frequency which auction/licensing plans are yet to be decided, as well as 700 MhZ band, which is still used by digital terrestrial television, with possible interference from its use in Russia and Belarus.

Poland shares the U.S. concerns about 5G security. In September 2019, Vice President Pence and Prime Minister Morawiecki signed the U.S.-Poland joint declaration on 5G security and future cooperation in this area. Poland follows the EU 5G Security Toolbox published on January 29, 2020. While not planning to exclude any suppliers and declaring a diversification of equipment suppliers, Poland’s position is to reduce security risks by applying stricter criteria to the core elements of the future 5G network than other parts of the system. 

For further information contact our office in Warsaw, Poland.