Charles Esther
Spanish operator Movistar, part of Telefónica, increased its active 3.5 GHz 5G base stations from 6,958 in March 2025 to 8,178 by the end of July, adding 1,229 new sites.
This growth keeps Movistar far ahead of competitors MásOrange and Vodafone in the mid-band 5G spectrum.
Vodafone’s 3.5 GHz Expansion Slows Under New Strategy
Vodafone added just 265 3.5 GHz sites during the same period, reflecting its new ownership under Zegona, which is prioritizing monetization of existing infrastructure rather than rapid expansion.
MásOrange Also Boosts 3.5 GHz Coverage
MásOrange grew its 3.5 GHz base stations from 3,631 in March to 4,254 in July 2025, adding 623 sites and continuing to build its network capacity.
All Operators Meet 700 MHz Coverage Obligations
In the 700 MHz band, which supports broader coverage including rural and indoor areas, all three main Spanish telcos increased their base stations and fulfilled government requirements established in the 2021 spectrum auction.
Movistar led with 11,934 sites, MásOrange reached 10,851, and Vodafone had 8,092 by July 2025.
Spanish Government Reports Growing 5G Population Coverage
As of mid-2024, 5G networks covered 96% of Spain’s population, a rise of over 3.5 percentage points year-over-year, according to official reports.
Rural 5G Coverage Triples in Three Years
Rural 5G coverage in Spain has surged from 26% in 2021 to 80% by mid-2024, with 3.5 GHz coverage in rural areas growing more than 12 percentage points in just one year.
UNICO 5G Program Accelerates 5G Deployment in Small Towns
Nearly €670 million ($766 million) has been allocated to boost 5G Standalone (SA) rollout in towns with fewer than 10,000 residents, focusing mainly on the 3.5 GHz band to improve rural connectivity.
Movistar Leads 5G Standalone Rollout in Spanish Cities
Movistar launched 5G Standalone service in July 2023 across 11 cities, including Madrid, Barcelona, and Malaga, providing high-speed coverage supported by Ericsson and Nokia equipment.
Movistar’s 5G SA Delivers Speeds up to 1,600 Mbps
The 5G SA network, operating in the 3.5 GHz band, offers customers browsing speeds of up to 1.6 Gbps, ensuring robust performance and supporting the country’s digital transformation goals.
Spain’s 5G Expansion Sets Stage for Future Growth
With strong mid-band deployment and government-backed programs, Spain is rapidly expanding 5G access nationwide, supporting both urban and rural areas with improved speed and coverage.
