In October 2023, European regulators were on the verge of proposing a radical new levy allowing telecommunication network providers to charge suppliers of digital content and services for access to the cables and networks those suppliers need to reach users. On the eve of such a crucial stocktaking at the informal meeting of the Council of the European Union telecommunications ministers in León, Spain, non-governmental organisations met leading stakeholders at the High-Level Roundtable on Future Connectivity to discuss the future of European connectivity.
Among the key participants were Inès Alonso-Moreno, European Union director, Allied for Startups; David Frautschy, senior director for European government and regulatory affairs, Internet Society; Innocenzo Genna, founder and director, Genna Cabinet sprl; Giulia Iop, European policy manager, Sky Group Ltd.; Michael Kende, senior advisor, Analysys Mason; and Konstantinos Komaitis, senior researcher and non-resident fellow, the Lisbon Council. The discussion was informed by a global civil society statement co-signed by 29 organisations and published in Kyoto, Japan, during the United Nations Internet Governance Forum.
Download the Global Civil Society: Statement on Network Fees