UPDATE On Monday, ETNO (European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association) urged “Big Tech” like Google, Amazon, Netflix, Meta, and Microsoft to help defer the costs of expanding 5G in Europe. According to Reuters, ETNO’s members — including Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica, and Telecom Italia — are appealing to the European Commission before submitting its proposal on digital networks and infrastructure, due February 21.
In 2023, the EU Commission decided against proposing legislation making “Big Tech” responsible for costs. The Commission made this decision despite only 10 of 114 European networks being 5G-ready and falling behind the U.S. and Asia-Pacific regions in cloud computing, investments, and revenues. Continue Reading
ETNO referenced a report by Analysys Mason, which reminded EU regulators of the Rights and Principles Declaration from 2022. The statement says that all market actors benefiting from the digital economy should make a ‘fair and proportionate contribution’ to digital network investment.
“The status quo – both in terms of investment and of policy – will not deliver the levels of innovation that are so desperately needed to sustain growth,” said ETNO Director General Lise Fuhr.
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