GSMA And European Operators Present Vision For Europe's Digital Leadership By 2030

Brussels, March 21, 2024 – A significant announcement was made by the GSMA alongside leading European mobile operators, marking a pivotal moment for Europe's digital future. The unveiling of "Connecting Europe to 2030: A Mobile Industry Manifesto for Europe" sets forth a comprehensive strategy aimed at propelling the continent's mobile connectivity sector into a leadership role on the global stage by the year 2030. This ambitious plan underscores the necessity of sweeping policy reforms to bolster Europe's digital economy through sustained network innovation.

At a time when Europe is navigating through heightened global competition, escalating trade barriers, and an intense technological race, the manifesto emerges as a critical blueprint for action. It stresses the indispensable role of the mobile industry in advancing the European Union's digital agenda, with a specific target of achieving universal 5G coverage across the continent by 2030. However, reaching this goal is contingent upon overcoming several systemic obstacles such as market fragmentation, regulatory challenges, and barriers to investment that have historically hindered the growth and competitiveness of Europe's telecom sector.

The document delineates key strategic areas requiring attention, highlighting the significance of next-generation connectivity, digital innovation, and a transition towards greener practices. It showcases exemplary initiatives from across Europe – ranging from smart factories and digital toolkits for SMEs to innovative projects in smart farming and city management. These examples illustrate the mobile sector's capacity to drive economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and societal benefits.

In a call to action for EU policymakers, the manifesto advocates for the adoption of a new digital infrastructure framework designed to stimulate investment, foster innovation, and create a unified digital market. Recommendations include tackling the telecom market's fragmentation, enacting more supportive spectrum policies to encourage investment, bridging regulatory disparities among different digital service providers, and modernizing outdated rules to better reflect the current digital landscape.

Laszlo Toth, Head of Europe and CIS for the GSMA, emphasized the urgency of this initiative: "As Europe confronts significant geopolitical, economic, and societal shifts, along with a rapidly evolving global digital economy, urgent action to secure the continent’s digital future has never been more imperative." He further highlighted that this manifesto signifies a commitment to partnership and progress, aiming to position Europe as a frontrunner in digital technology and innovation while building the advanced infrastructure necessary for European citizens and businesses to prosper beyond 2030.

The GSMA stands as a global entity that unites the mobile ecosystem to catalyze innovation that is fundamental to fostering positive business environments and societal transformation. With a vision centered on unleashing the full potential of connectivity for the benefit of people, industry, and society at large, it represents mobile operators and entities within the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries. The GSMA's efforts span across promoting policy advancement, addressing major societal challenges, supporting technology and interoperability essential for mobile functionality, and hosting major events like MWC and M360 series that bring together stakeholders from across the mobile ecosystem.

For further details on this visionary manifesto and its implications for Europe’s digital future, access is available at [GSMA's official website](https://www.gsma.com/gsmaeurope/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GSMA_Manifesto_2024_New-Rules-for-a-New-Era.pdf).