Connect Europe

After 32 years, we say goodbye to ETNO and launch Connect Europe — the new voice of Europe's leading connectivity providers. We also welcome Alessandro Gropelli as the new Director General-designate. 📌 Our #purpose is to empower the digital future by connecting people, businesses, and communities across Europe 📌 Our #mission is to champion a favourable policy framework that enables connectivity networks and service providers to make Europe grow and prosper. Learn more about how the Association is organizing to leverage connectivity for Europe’s competitiveness: https://bit.ly/3Xd96w2

We hosted a powerhouse panel on 🇪🇺-🇺🇸 #tech collaboration, a timely discussion following the recent US Presidential and EU Parliamentary elections, which have set new priorities for #digital policy on both sides of the Atlantic. We were honoured to have Thibaut Kleiner (DG Connect), MEP Adina Valean, Hon. Mike Ferguson (AT&T), Wolfgang Kopf (Deutsche Telekom) and our DG Alessandro Gropelli delve into these critical issues. From the EU’s regulatory advances in #AI to the US’s push for #innovation, from fears of tariffs to unstable supply chains, we explored how these evolving policy directions will impact next-gen digital infrastructure, data transfer and 6G, for years to come. Matthew Newman from MLEX expertly moderated the conversation, shedding light on this transformative period. As tech and politics intersect more closely than ever, today’s exchanges inspired us on fostering a balanced, forward-thinking transatlantic dialogue that champions secure, innovative, and globally empowered #connectivity.

Today, we will closely follow EVP designates Henna Virkkunen and Teresa Ribera's hearings at the European Parliament to hear their perspectives on the essential role of #digital infrastructure in Europe’s economy and society. As highlighted in the video by Alessandro Gropelli, Maarit Palovirta & Paolo Grassia, with 85% of Europeans viewing telecom as a basic need and drawing on insights from recent reports by Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi, our recommendations emphasize the need for more investment, modernised regulation and a stronger European #Telecom Single Market. Take a look at our policy agenda for more info: https://lnkd.in/g3GYNyNA

Yesterday afternoon, our members from across Europe gathered in Lisbon 🇵🇹 to approve our 2025 Strategy, aiming to enhance the role of connectivity so we can build a stronger European economy and a more secure, resilient, and sustainable continent. Hosted by our Portuguese member Altice Portugal, it was an important General Assembly as three new members joined our ranks, expanding our total community to 43 member companies. Alessandro Gropelli was formally elected as our new Director General, and we announced that Maarit Palovirta is promoted to Deputy Director General – Strategy & Policy, while Paolo Grassia is promoted to Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy. Muito obrigado Altice Portugal! https://lnkd.in/eF7nm2gt ⬇️

Our Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs Maarit Palovirta spoke at today's European Banking Federation event on unmasking the payment fraud ecosystem. Her main points were: 📈 Trends vary by country, but spoofing and smishing have emerged as primary threats. Collaboration among the banking sector, connectivity providers, and law enforcement has been essential. ✅ Best practices in fighting fraud: Telecom operators focus on connectivity, acting as carriers of information. Voluntary, flexible cooperation with banks is an effective way to combat fraud. Other anti-fraud actions by operators include sharing data on suspicious activities, using fraud detection tech to spot fraud patterns, and monitoring SIM swap activity—all while respecting privacy laws. 🤖 #AI brings both challenges and opportunities in fighting fraud, though legal uncertainty exists around its use under the ePrivacy directive.

Today, the European Parliament's hearings for Commissioner-designates kick off, and we have three key messages for the new College and for MEPs: 1⃣ #Connectivity is the critical infrastructure that will make Europe globally competitive 2⃣ Let’s bring advanced networks like #5G and #fibre to all European citizens and businesses by 2030 3⃣ Reports by #MarioDraghi and Enrico Letta should be implemented, so we can complete the #telecom single market and strengthen competitiveness

How can the future Digital Networks Act address the telecom market’s current needs? How can we ensure fair competition between tech and telecom companies offering similar services? Find the answers by Telefonica's Chief Public Policy, Competition and Regulatory Officer Juan Montero Rodil in our latest #ThinkDigital interview: https://lnkd.in/eV2fCjZE

Telecom consumers are happy, have choice and are driven by price as well as quality: a recent survey by Ipsos & Connect Europe analyzing digital habits and expectations across 30 European countries reveals that: ✅ 64% of Europeans with both fixed internet and mobile plans from the same provider rate them 8+ out of 10 ↔️ 74% feel there are enough providers to choose from, and 67% see sufficient variety in available offers 📲 Nearly 60% find switching providers simple and quick 🚀 Top drivers for choosing fixed internet providers: price (59%), connection reliability (49%), and speed (45%) Read more about the survey's insights on European digital habits: https://bit.ly/4feqx6S

Trust and security: consumers trust telcos more than tech, gaps remain on risky behaviour:  🔐 81% of Europeans are concerned about personal data security, but only 45% use strong, unique passwords. 📱 Data security is seen as a shared responsibility, with 59% believing telecom providers protect their data better than social media platforms. Learn more about the findings on consumer trust and digital safety in the consumer survey carried out by Ipsos for Connect Europe: bit.ly/3Uhw1FK

Advanced #connectivity is on top of the new EU political agenda: it’s the key to socio-economic growth and our security. Thank you Tsvetelina Penkova, Axel Voss and Stéphanie Yon-Courtin for discussing tech and telecom policy with Alessandro Gropelli, Laszlo Toth and the members of Connect Europe and GSMA.