Dreaming big can help reform society

Pierre Louette :
It can affect us all but the effects of digitalisation can also be as disruptive as they are constructive. Europe already faces considerable political challenges, and now the rapid rate of technological change is calling into question its existing social, economic and regulatory structures.
In order to strengthen its competitiveness and leadership on the world stage, Europe must turn this challenge into an opportunity.
As we set out to establish a regulatory framework for the digital era, two goals should take priority: guaranteeing state-of-the-art fixed and wireless connectivity for all European citizens and businesses, and promoting the right to digital services innovation for all market players.
Incentivising investment in very high capacity networks is key to achieving the first of these goals, while clear, fair and more horizontal rules will enable the second.
In this regard, the European Commission’s proposal for a new European Electronic Communications Code is an important step forward. With a mandate to deliver greater connectivity, drive infrastructure-based competition and support innovation, this new piece of legislation could secure the long-term interests of all European citizens.
The Code establishes a more targeted approach to regulatory measures and increases the role of symmetric rules and long-term commercial or co-investment agreements. Experience in Spain and France shows that such co-investment models can indeed accelerate fibre rollout.
The Code also aims to improve coordination around spectrum; essential for creating a truly single market. However, there are certain aspects of the Code which should be reconsidered, lest they inadvertently put the brakes on digital progress.
When it comes to regulation, less is often more. For instance, mobile markets remain fiercely competitive while staying largely unregulated, which inherently means that mobile network sharing should remain voluntary.
(Pierre Louette is deputy CEO at Orange).