EN
The aim of the paper is to present the European gigabit society which is perceived by European Union’s leaders as a model of the future European society and economy. It is based on new digital technologies of the XXI century and on new, very high capacity mobile telecommunications networks. The rapid growth of information being processed and transmitted through electronic communications networks needs new high-speed and highly reliable broadband networks essential to economic growth, competitiveness and innovation as well as better quality products, services and the citizen’s satisfaction. The 5G communications network is the solution which is perceived as a type of network which should resolve these problems. In the paper the concept of the European gigabit society is clarifi ed, the 5G technology and its level of development in the European Union and in its Member States are described including Poland vis-à-vis the rest of the world. The European gigabit society is already under development and the 5G communication network is crucial to its success. It should be widely available in Europe including Poland. The paper is based on the analysis of official documents of the European Union and its Member States including Poland, official reports of the most active electronic telecommunications companies providing and implementing 5G technologies and on talks with representatives of some of the ones which are active on the Polish market.