Conferência O Futuro da Conectividade Europeia

Political decision-makers, industry leaders, and experts will reflect on the challenges and opportunities of connectivity in the European context.

In the last decade, the electronic communications sector and the digital environment have undergone significant transformations, driven by rapid technological advancement.

In February 2024, the European Commission announced a series of actions under its Connectivity Package to promote innovation, security, and resilience of digital infrastructures, including the publication of the White Paper "How to Address Europe's Digital Infrastructure Needs."

The European Commission's White Paper, which was publicly consulted in 2024, identifies the main challenges for expanding connectivity networks in the EU and proposes ways to strengthen digital infrastructure and ensure economic security.

This document from the Commission serves as a basis for the future Digital Network Act, expected at the end of 2025, which will be a key piece of the regulatory framework for connectivity in the EU.

However, some proposals advanced by the White Paper raise critical questions that generate doubts among industry stakeholders, such as a potential convergence between cloud computing and telecommunications, as well as the possible introduction of mandatory dispute resolution mechanisms for IP interconnections—which, in practice, implies the promotion of the controversial networks fees.

Recently, the issue of networks fees gained international relevance with its introduction in the Joint Statement EU-US that establishes a Framework Agreement for fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial transatlantic trade and investment relations. Under the Framework Agreement, the United States and the European Union commit to combating unjustified digital trade barriers.

In this regard, the European Union confirmed that it will not adopt or maintain network usage fees. However, the volatility of the current international political context makes it difficult to project long-term guarantees.

It is in this context that we will discuss the Future of European Connectivity.

PROGRAM (under update)

09:30 Opening

António Costa, Director of ECO Hugo Espírito Santo, Secretary of State for Infrastructures

10:00 Round table: The future of European connectivity

Benoit Felten, Partner at Plum Consulting Sandra Maximiano, President of the Board of ANACOM Filipe Batista, Coordinator Digital-telecom-Cyber-Counselor Audiovisual and Copyright at REPER Fernando Borges Azevedo, Head of Connectivity at Start Campus