Greece Proposes EU Spectrum Plan to Unlock Billions for 6G and Technology
Greece has proposed a European Spectrum Union that could redirect part of future 5G and 6G spectrum auction revenues toward the European Union's long-term budget and technology investment.
Greece has proposed creating a European Spectrum Union to coordinate how EU countries manage and auction mobile radio spectrum. The proposal could generate an initial financial pool of around €12 billion to €15 billion, according to the plan, although that figure is a planning assumption rather than an official valuation or forecast.
Europe's next generation of mobile technology could become part of the debate over how the European Union finances its future.
Greece has put forward a proposal that would bring the EU's fragmented national spectrum systems closer together and use part of the revenues generated by future spectrum sales to support the bloc's long-term budget and technology priorities.
The idea arrives as European governments negotiate the EU's 2028–2034 budget, with pressure growing to finance defence, technology, competitiveness and traditional spending priorities at the same time.
What Is the European Spectrum Union?
The proposed European Spectrum Union would create greater coordination around the way EU countries manage and sell radio spectrum used by mobile networks.
At present, spectrum auctions are largely handled at the national level. Individual EU governments determine auction schedules, licensing arrangements and other conditions, producing 27 separate systems across the bloc.
Greece's proposal argues that greater coordination could make the system more efficient as Europe prepares for the transition toward 6G and the renewal of existing 5G rights.
The Greek proposal estimates an initial financial scale of approximately €12 billion to €15 billion. The figure is explicitly described as a planning assumption, not an official valuation or forecast, and does not include potential future contributions from selected 5G rights.
Why 6G Is Central to the Proposal
6G is expected to become the next major generation of mobile connectivity, with research focused on higher capacity, lower latency, advanced network intelligence and new industrial applications.
Europe is already working on a long-term 6G spectrum roadmap. As new frequencies become available and existing licences approach renewal, governments will have opportunities to allocate valuable spectrum to telecommunications operators.
Greece's proposal seeks to treat that future spectrum value as a strategic European resource rather than leaving the financial benefits entirely within separate national systems.
A Funding Challenge for Europe
The proposed EU budget for 2028–2034 is around €2 trillion. It is intended to finance the bloc's major policies over seven years, including agriculture, regional development and emerging strategic priorities.
The financial debate has become more complicated as Europe faces additional demands for defence spending, industrial competitiveness, technological investment and economic resilience.
The spectrum proposal is therefore part of a much broader search for new sources of EU revenue.
Other Funding Ideas Are Also on the Table
Spectrum revenues are not the only potential source being discussed. Other proposals include using part of revenues from carbon-emissions permit sales and a share of certain import-related taxes.
Additional ideas include measures involving electronic waste, tobacco excise duties and contributions from large companies operating within the European market.
Proposals have also been discussed involving digital services, online gambling, crypto-asset capital gains and wealth-related taxes. The different options have varying levels of support among EU governments.
The Technology Investment Angle
Greece's proposal is not only about raising money. It also connects spectrum revenues with investment in Europe's technology infrastructure and competitiveness.
Faster and more coordinated deployment of advanced mobile networks could support industries ranging from artificial intelligence and robotics to autonomous systems, manufacturing and connected infrastructure.
That makes spectrum policy increasingly important beyond telecommunications. Radio frequencies are becoming a strategic infrastructure asset as more economic activity depends on wireless connectivity.
What Happens Next?
The proposal still requires agreement among all 27 EU member states before it can become part of the bloc's future financing framework.
Ireland is expected to assess which potential new revenue sources, or combination of them, could receive unanimous support before the next EU summit scheduled for October.
The negotiations will determine whether spectrum revenues become a new EU-level funding mechanism or remain primarily under national control.
Europe's 6G transition could become more than a telecommunications story. Greece's proposal shows how the value of digital infrastructure is increasingly being considered as a potential source of funding for Europe's next technological and economic chapter.
Technology • Business • Europe • Global Economy
