On March 20, the GSMA, the organization representing the interests of mobile network operators around the world, published its latest manifesto, setting out the reforms it believes are needed to make Europe’s connectivity ecosystem fit for the future.
As mobile usage continues to increase and innovations such as telemedicine and self-driving cars are expected to make Europeans’ lives easier, the industry believes a robust and well-funded connectivity environment is essential. Masu. GSMA sees the upcoming European elections as an opportunity to place connectivity firmly on the EU’s political agenda.
According to the GSMA, reform of the telecommunications sector should be a top priority. Ben Leshner, Vodafone Group’s Chief Economist and Director of Public Affairs and Chairman of Vodafone Group, said: “The new regulatory framework recognizes the need for economies of scale, enables long-term investment and provides global “This has the potential to enable rapid deployment of leading connectivity.” GSMA Policy Group Europe attended an event to mark the launch of the manifesto.
Leshner argued that with new regulatory structures and major investments, the EU can reignite its competitiveness and technological leadership.
Fast, secure, pervasive connectivity
Speaking on the same panel, Camila Kroc, European Commission DG CNECT Digital Decade and Connectivity Director, agreed: , predictive maintenance of buildings and precision agriculture. ”
On 21 February 2024, the European Commission adopted the White Paper on “How to master Europe’s digital infrastructure needs”. This explains the changes facing connectivity in Europe and aims to redefine the long-term vision for digital networks and prepare the groundwork for possible policy and regulatory measures, Kroc explained.
“We have identified various scenarios that will help create a true single market for electronic communications. A digital infrastructure that can provide secure, fast and reliable connectivity to anyone anywhere in Europe. This is helpful because we need
Mr. Kroc said that in order to achieve the digital goals for the 2030 Digital Decade and “ensure future competitiveness and bring the benefits of full digital innovation to all citizens and businesses,” connected infrastructure is essential. He added that quality and performance are essential.
Review of spectrum policy
On the question of frequency, Kroc said the market size is not large enough, adding that “we need to review our frequency policy” and recognizing the need for further harmonization.
Alexander Soltysyk, chairman of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG), agreed, but struck a pragmatic note: We will submit our opinions by the end of June. Although spectrum management is the sole responsibility of national regulators, we provide recommendations. ”
During the discussion, it was clear that all speakers agreed that reforms are needed to strengthen Europe’s communications industry and advance the EU’s digital ambitions. The important questions were “which reforms” and “when should they be implemented?”
In a broader debate at EU level, some industry players argued that the past two decades have seen excessive market fragmentation, spectrum costs and obsolete It argues that the regulatory framework has reduced European telecom companies’ revenues and reduced their market value. broader internet ecosystem. For some, the status quo is good enough.
Deregulation to promote investment
Peter Alexiadis, a research fellow at CERRE and visiting professor at King’s College, London, offered a more innovative view. But the question is whether the vision contained in the White Paper is radical enough and whether some of the goals it sets out are achievable. ”
Alexiadis presented a more radical proposal that would put Europe on a path to deregulation while boosting investment incentives. “Achieving that balance is not something that can be achieved without making major trade-offs across different aspects of public policy,” he said, “and will probably require changing the entire regulatory infrastructure.” he added.
Mr Alexiadis said the 2002 Regulatory Framework established a forward-looking regulatory regime based on competition law and the concepts of ‘market’ and ‘market power’. This system has served us well for over 20 years, he claimed.
“However, given the fact that the 2002 Framework envisaged that efficient functioning markets would allow for deregulation and a return to primarily competition policy to discipline anti-competitive behavior; It’s time to reconsider our position on regulation,” Alexiadis said. .
ambitious goals
He observed that, in parallel, European policymakers are setting ambitious targets for European telecommunications operators to achieve digital milestones, which will strain their economic resources. claimed to have done so. At the same time, Mr. Alexiadis commented that it is necessary to be mindful of environmental sustainability goals and the implementation of additional measures to ensure network resilience and security.
The world of 2024 is not the world of 2002. Far more demands are being made on spectrum, infrastructure and major carriers, especially his digital Decade objectives, NIS II directive cybersecurity obligations and environmental sustainability targets.
Leshner summarizes: “In the end, it is not just connectivity itself that is important, but ensuring Europe’s competitiveness. Market size and competition are very important for the mobile industry. There will be competition, but there will be no imbalance. This applies not only to telecommunications regulation, but also to economic, security and sustainability regulation. We need to invest in our future competitiveness.”
[By Jennifer Baker I Edited by Brian Maguire | Euractiv’s Advocacy Lab ]
