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Articles by daniel friedlaender
Cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) are driving the transformation of Europe’s telecom sector. Yet, some large telecom operators – ironically, those benefiting the most from digital innovation – claim that the very tech firms enabling their digital transformation are also those ‘exploiting’ telecom networks, and argue the two business models are converging.
Across the globe, we see that lawmakers sometimes consider replicating rules and regulations from the European Union. South Korea and Turkey, for example, have tabled legislative proposals that openly emulate key parts of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA)
During the previous mandate, EU lawmakers introduced a wave of digital rules aimed at regulating the bloc’s tech sector. While most were (at least initially) well-intentioned, this regulatory surge now risks stifling digital innovation and undermining EU competitiveness.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is creating unprecedented shifts in Europe’s online economy and the wider digital sphere. The DMA designates certain large digital companies as ‘gatekeepers’ – who face additional obligations and restrictions. With the incoming European Commission soon taking office, we are now looking at a new stage for DMA implementation: one where the outcomes are uncertain.
Europe is at a crossroads and needs to choose what kind of internet it really wants. Do we want popular online services and content to remain free of charge for users who don’t mind personalised advertising, or is the EU going to push everyone towards a subscription-only model for the internet in the future?
Earlier this week, the much-anticipated report on the way forward for Europe’s ailing competitiveness, authored by Mario Draghi, finally came out. Expectations for what’s next are high, but above all the report should be seen as a – last? – wakeup call for Europe to do better and stop thinking everything can be solved with more of the same: more regulation, more self doubt, more protectionism. It’s high time the EU actually starts to listen to what industry and employers, innovators and market leaders need to succeed in the EU.
Summer is a good time to reflect on what comes next. With the change in EU institutions, we have a short breather. But many work streams continue, least of all the new and very publicised enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Main takeaways In just a few days, on 7 March, the digital space will change. Or at least the EU […]
Main takeaways Brussels seems to have been taken hostage by an unsettling trend of last-minute EU deal-making on many major […]
As we bid farewell to 2023, I’d like to reflect on what happened in our little EU tech and digital […]
