5G in Poland - 2026 is the Year of 5G! Join the Next-Gen Mobile Internet Experience

4G was introduced in Poland in 2011 and rapidly spread to other parts of the country. 

By 2013–2014, a majority of people in Poland had 4G coverage, approximately 35%. But this was limited to urban centers; rural areas still had to make do with 3G or 2G. 

Thanks to the expansion efforts of Poland’s telecom operators, the country achieved 100% 4G coverage in 2023. 

But many countries in Europe were on their way to 100% 5G coverage during this time. Switzerland and Finland had already launched commercial 5G networks by 2018-2019. 

Today, countries like Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands are heading towards 100% 5G coverage. 

Poland is taking the essential steps to catch up with their EU counterparts. But is it enough? Will 2026 be better for 5G in Poland compared to the previous years? Let’s find out! 

Is 2026 the Turning Point for 5G Adoption in Poland? 

As said before, when it comes to 5G, the previous years haven’t been kind to Poland. Things are changing, though. 

There are two major reasons for the delay: the pandemic and the prolonged security legislation process. 

Poland has made massive strides in 5G development to make up for the delayed start.  

Data suggests that Poland’s current 5G coverage is approximately 55%. The numbers change based on location as well. Urban areas saw a healthy 45% 5G coverage (approx.), while rural areas recorded a concerning 23%. 

The delay of 5G in Poland has complicated things in the EU, hindering the progress of the European Commission’s 5G deployment targets. The Commission’s objectives include 5G coverage in all populated areas in the EU and Gigabit network coverage by 2030. 

With just four more years left and the gradual phasing out of 2G and 3G networks, the efforts to meet the Commission’s objectives are intensified. 

Alongside financial assistance from Brussels, network operators in Poland have ramped up deployment activity. Spending has been higher than usual, and mobile sites are buzzing with activity. The completion of the 700/800 MHz auction helped Polish telecom operators get low-band 5G spectrum, which contributes to the country’s better rural and in-building 5G coverage. 

All in all, 5G in Poland is expected to see a massive improvement in 2026. 

What About 5G in the EU? 

Although a bit fragmented, Europe has made considerable progress in the 5G expansion process. 

Denmark leads the race when it comes to 5G availability. Switzerland, Sweden, Cyprus, Malta, Greece, Norway, and Finland closely follow Denmark. 

Europe still has some issues that need to be addressed. Regulatory and spectrum issues aside, the EU also faces economic and deployment barriers that seem to hinder 5G expansion. 

What Does 5G Do Better Than 4G? 

Many people just think that 5G is just faster than 4G. While that is true, there are many reasons why network operators are pushing to upgrade to 5G. 

Here is a list of things that a 5G eSIM/SIM does better than 4G. 

• Speed: This is the obvious one. 5G is a lot faster than 4G LTE. In Poland, the average 4G speed is roughly 50 Mbps, while the average 5G speed is approximately 100 Mbps. 
• Latency: Also known as ping, latency is the amount of time taken by data to move from one point to another. The distance between the two points is a major reason for high latency. 4G networks have a latency of roughly 30-40 milliseconds, whereas 5G networks provide a latency of 1 millisecond. 
• Stability: 5G has the ability to support more devices per square kilometer, meaning you’re a lot less likely to experience slower internet in crowded areas.  

In addition to the reasons mentioned above, 5G is the latest in terms of telecom technology. Telecom operators risk losing customers due to the availability of better options if they continue to stay on outdated systems. 

What to Look for When Choosing a 5G Plan? 

You’ve read all about 5G in Poland and the benefits the 5G network offers over 4G. 

Now, let’s look at essential factors you should consider if you’re in the market for a 5G mobile plan. 

eSIM or Physical SIM? 

You’ll have to decide whether you’re opting for an eSIM or a physical SIM if you’re upgrading to 5G in Poland. 

Here is a quick look at how they fare against each other. 

Regardless of whether you’re looking for a 5G eSIM in Poland or physical SIM cards, know that you’ve chosen to upgrade to a faster and more reliable network. 

Benefits 

The benefits to look for when purchasing a 5G plan in Poland vary from user to user. That’s why we’ve created a quick guide based on the different types of users. 

Students/Young Professionals 

This category needs a bit of everything, especially data. The best 5G data plan for students and young professionals would include the following benefits. 

• High-data allowance (40 GB and above) 
• Unlimited national calls 
• Unlimited national SMS 
• eSIM support 
• International benefits like roaming data (if they have family/friends abroad) 

Digital Nomads 

This group prioritizes reliable 5G mobile internet connectivity and flexibility since they don’t stay in one place for too long. Here is what the ideal mobile plan for digital nomads looks like. 

• High-data allowance (60 GB and above) 
• Unlimited national calls 
• Unlimited national SMS 
• eSIM support 
• Contract-free convenience (prepaid plans) 
• International benefits like roaming data (for short business trips and weekend getaways) 

These benefits are applicable to remote workers as well. 

Expats 

The best 5G plans for expats in Poland include a combination of benefits from the two categories mentioned above. Since their stay is temporary, they may prioritize data and international benefits. These are the benefits that must be present in a prepaid 5G SIM/eSIM for expats. 

• High data allowance (70 GB and above) 
• Unlimited national calls 
• Unlimited national SMS 
• eSIM support 
• No long-term contracts 
• International benefits like roaming data 

The Power User 

This is a group that may include users from the other three categories as well. Data trumps all the other benefits for these users, as they are often online all the time. The best 5G plan in Poland for heavy data users has the following benefits. 

• Unlimited or high data allowance (100 GB and above) 
• Unlimited national calls 
• Unlimited national SMS 
• eSIM support 

Why Lyca Mobile is Your Reliable 5G Partner in Poland 

Looking to upgrade from your old 4G network? 

Or maybe you just bought a new 5G phone that supports eSIMs and are looking to upgrade. 

Regardless of the reason, Lyca Mobile brings you prepaid 5G SIM/eSIM plans at very attractive prices. Here, take a look! 

 The To All L and To All M Plus plans give you the opportunity to get 21,000 GB and 2400 GB respectively. Refer to the plan’s page for more information. 

Poland has been a bit late to the 5G party, but it has arrived, nevertheless. Rapid changes are being implemented, both in terms of infrastructure and regulations, to meet the EU’s goal of complete 5G coverage by 2030. 

There are challenges that Poland’s network operators need to overcome, and the situation is expected to improve as time goes on. 

Lyca Mobile’s three exciting 5G offers make it easy to experience the better network. Along with the 5G upgrade, you also get other awesome benefits like unlimited national calling and messaging, dedicated roaming data, and more! 

You can also keep your existing number and switch to Lyca Mobile. The process is quite simple. 

Get the best of 5G with Lyca Mobile. Upgrade today!