TO The new digital infrastructure framework that encourages investment, innovation and a harmonized digital market must be a priority in the next EU mandate.
Brussels, 20th March 2024: The GSMA and leading European mobile operators today announced the launch of 'Connecting Europe to 2030: a mobile industry manifesto for Europe', which outlines a strategic vision for the mobile connectivity sector in Europe. Calls for critical policy reforms to ensure that Europe's digital economy, supported by strong and sustained network innovation, can re-establish a leading position in the global technology race by 2030.
Europe is at a crucial moment, facing increased global competition, rising trade barriers and a race for technological supremacy. The manifesto highlights the mobile industry's critical role in advancing the EU's digital agenda, as the continent aims for universal 5G coverage by 2030. However, achieving this vision requires addressing systemic challenges, including market fragmentation, regulatory obstacles and barriers to investment, which have stifled the growth and competitiveness of the European telecommunications sector.
The manifesto outlines several strategic areas of action, emphasizing the importance of next-generation connectivity, digital innovation and the green transition. It showcases successful initiatives across Europe, from smart factories and digital toolkits for SMEs to pioneering projects in smart agriculture and urban management, demonstrating the potential of the mobile sector to drive economic growth, sustainability and social benefits.
The manifesto calls on EU policymakers to adopt a new digital infrastructure framework that encourages investment, innovation and a harmonized digital market. Recommendations include addressing telecoms market fragmentation, implementing a more investment-friendly spectrum policy, closing regulatory gaps between different digital service providers, and updating historical rules to reflect current realities.
Laszlo Toth, Director for Europe and CIS at the GSMA, said: “As Europe faces major geopolitical, economic and social changes, and a rapidly developing global digital economy, it has never been more imperative to take urgent action to secure the continent's digital future. This manifesto represents a commitment to partnership and progress, laying the foundation for Europe to regain its position as a global leader in digital technology and innovation and build the next-generation infrastructure that European citizens and businesses need to further succeed and prosper. beyond 2030.“
For more information, see
-ENDS-
About the GSMA
The GSMA is a global organization that unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver critical innovation for positive business environments and social change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organizations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA offers its members three broad pillars: connectivity for good, industry services and solutions, and outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, addressing today's biggest societal challenges, supporting the technology and interoperability that make mobile devices work, and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.
We invite you to learn more at gsma.com
Media contacts
GSMA Press Office
[email protected]
