EU telcos support new Industrial Strategy, call for Member States to step up budgetary ambition

Brussels, 10 March 2020 – ETNO, the Association representing Europe’s leading telecom operators, welcomes the European Commission’s “Industrial Strategy” presented today. The Strategy recognises that a change of gear is needed in order to achieve global leadership through widespread digitisation of our rich and diverse industrial base. 5G, fibre networks and data-based services are firmly recognised as a major enabler of Europe’s industrial value-chains, including those of strategic importance.

Europe’s unapologetic data ambition: a note from EU telcos

By Paolo Grassia, ETNO Director of Public Policy

Digital transformation has led to data becoming a key asset, but also a production factor in its own right. Consumers enjoy a wealth of new data-based services and Europe’s industrial base is trying to catch the wave and increase its global competitiveness. The European Commission has recognised this trend and, this week, it presented an ambitious “Communication on a European Data Strategy”, which was welcomed by ETNO. Telecom companies will have a major role in delivering on Europe’s data ambitions, but also in promoting a trust-based model for the data economy. Here are our views.

EU telcos welcome the European Commission approach to digital leadership, stress the role of 5G and fibre networks

Brussels, 19 February 2020 – ETNO, the Association representing Europe’s leading telecom companies, welcomes the fresh approach to digital leadership enshrined in the “Shaping Europe’s digital future” Strategy, in the “Communication on a European Data Strategy” and in the “White Paper on Artificial Intelligence”, which were unveiled today by the European Commission.

Digital Upskilling For All: Tender specifications for subcontracting external expertise

Project title and number:
Digital Upskilling For All! - VS/2020/0011

1. Background

European telcos support harmonised and fact-based EU rules on 5G security

Brussels, 29 January 2020 – ETNO, the Association representing Europe’s leading telecom operators, supports a harmonised EU approach to 5G security. Security is at the heart of our on-going work to deploy resilient 5G infrastructure across European territories. We therefore welcome today’s publication of the “5G Security Toolbox”, presented by EU Member States with ENISA and the European Commission.

EU connectivity is becoming faster and more intelligent, but more investment is needed

Brussels, 28 January 2020 – 5G and fibre are becoming a reality in Europe and there is a major opportunity for launching European AI and data-based services. Telcos will be a major lever for growth and inclusion across the digital ecosystem. However, telecom markets remain relatively weak in Europe, which means that policy action is needed to boost investment in networks and make the Continent globally competitive. These are some of the key findings of the 2020 “State of Digital Communications” Report, launched today by ETNO, Europe’s leading telecoms association, and prepared by leading research firm Analysys Mason.

Leading telecom CEOs meet with EVP Vestager

Brussels, 2 December 2019 – A delegation of CEOs from ETNO, the association representing Europe’s leading telecom operators, has met today with Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President, Europe fit for the Digital Age. The delegation included: Tim Hoettges, Deutsche Telekom; Stephane Richard, Orange; Thomas Arnolder, Telekom Austria; Salvatore Rossi, TIM; Alexandre Fonseca, Altice Portugal; as well as the Chairman of ETNO, Steven Tas, the Director General of ETNO, Lise Fuhr, and senior representatives from Telefonica and Telenor.

CEOs Statement on the Purpose of Digital Networks

The CEOs from ETNO companies joined the following statement:

Europeans deserve a digital economy that delivers for all, by creating new opportunities of inclusive growth and societal improvement across European regions and across all sectors of society. We believe that the ultimate purpose of the new and existing digital networks is to enable such opportunities.

EU digital leadership: telcos and cable companies call for a consistent approach to e-Privacy