Obviously, 5G's competition has begun. The more obvious sign is that Europe is likely to lag behind the United States, China and the rest of Asia. Korea Telecom is one of the companies participating in the 5G test of the Winter Olympic Games. It shows a virtual reality game and is broadcast live through the ultra high speed mobile Internet standard. At the same time, Hans Westerberg, chief technology officer of Verizon, the US mobile network operator, said he believed that the US and some parts of Asia were indeed leading in 5G technology. Hans (Vestberg)

But while Americans and Asians are promoting 5G and optimism, Europeans take a more conservative attitude, even EU legislators. Andrus Ansip, a member of the European Commission, who is responsible for the so-called digital single market, said in an interview: "I am very worried about this." Andrews Bnsip said.

The European Union has developed connectivity goals, one of which is that in 2020, every member country has at least one major city with fully commercialized 5G network. In order to achieve this goal, said Ansip will need 500 billion euros ($615 billion) investment. But at the current rate, there is still a gap of 155 billion euros.

Part of the problem in Europe is spectrum distribution, which is the specific radio wave required by various communication standards. Although other countries are advancing and providing spectrum for 5G, there are huge differences in Europe on this issue.

EU MPs decided last week to release 5G radio frequencies in 20 years. But many industry agencies, including GSMA, an industry organization representing global mobile operators, say it will need more investment. Mats Grande (Mats Granryd), the director general of the GMSA, said that longer time spectrum ownership would be needed before the new EU law was introduced.

"It takes time to build these networks (and) to get a return on investment," Grande said. So we need to make sure that the spectrum we buy is ours for a long time.

Another problem is the implementation of different rules in the 28 EU Member States. CCS Insight data show that American mobile operators such as AT&T and Verizon have committed to launch 5G technology this year and next year. China will become the largest 5G market by 2022.

Although 5G promises to provide high-speed Internet services, the slow action of the European Union may make it lag behind in the competition, which is bad news, because this technology may promote business, consumer and economic development.