Incoming EU digital chief Guenther Oettinger urged caution about the level of public sector support the mobile industry can expect in deploying 5G networks.

“5G is the future. We believe that is the technology for coming decades and we must now take the necessary preparatory steps. In the commission we want to avoid any delays as was the case with 4G,” said Oettinger (pictured).

He then added: “There will be some scope with public budgets but [the] bulk of infrastructure must come from [the] private sector. We have to create an environment that is conducive to investment to attract private investors and investment.”

Oettinger was fielding questions before the European Parliament. One MEP asked what share he was getting of the €300 billion public-private programme called for by incoming EC president Jean-Claude Juncker to kickstart the European economy.

The MEP also asked “how to avoid the mistakes and delays of 4G?”

The new digital chief sidestepped putting a figure on support for future mobile networks.

The EU is desperate for Europe to be at the forefront of 5G. To that effect, it unveiled a public-private initiative at the end of last year to encourage the deployment of 5G networks and services.