Alicante ranks as the third Spanish province by 5G stations, trailing only Madrid and Barcelona with a total of 512 units. In a contrasting note, CNMC data consistently identify Soria and Teruel as the provinces with the fewest 5G base stations, recording 6 and 11 respectively at the latest update. These figures come from the most recent CNMC publication and reflect the situation at the end of the previous year.
numbers
Across the regional distribution, the 5G network is expanding unevenly, with CNMC data offering the current snapshot for regional deployment and the broader national context. The update highlights how Madrid and Barcelona maintain top positions in station counts, while other regions show more modest penetration and growth trajectories. The numbers emphasize the ongoing gap between more densely populated areas and those with slower rollout paces, as of the last data refresh.
In 2021, the distribution of new 5G installations showed Sixty? two installations in Soria and nine in Aragon, underscoring the challenge of rapid deployment in less populated provinces. The region of Ceuta stood out with sixteen stations, illustrating regional variance. Madrid continues to lead in absolute 5G penetration, with 1,173 stations, followed by Barcelona at 837 and Alicante at 512.
Deployment of 5G creates new investment opportunities in technology
The expansion of 5G networks also reshapes investment dynamics across autonomous communities. Andalusia led the regional count with around two thousand teams, followed by Catalonia and Madrid, which reported approximately 1,227 and 1,173 teams respectively.
On the other end of the spectrum, La Rioja and Navarra account for the smallest regional footprints, with fewer than one hundred stations when CNMC began compiling the data. These geographic patterns reflect the varying pace of infrastructure upgrades and the strategic importance of connecting smaller communities to high-speed networks.
Carrier plans
The national strategy included a notable milestone when the government auctioned the 700 MHz band, with a pledge to extend 5G coverage to all towns housing at least 20,000 residents within three years. As a result, 2022 figures were expected to show marked increases in station counts as operators targeted broader municipal reach and stronger service availability.
Industry leaders reported substantial progress in rolling out the technology. Orange surpassed 1,500 municipalities with 5G networks, Telefónica reached roughly 1,700 municipalities, and Vodafone aimed to provide 5G access in more than 1,000 locations by year-end. In addition, there was a strategic push to position 5G as a viable alternative to fixed fiber, with fixed wireless solutions entering the home market under the banner of 5G Home.