In-depth analysis of the issues that matter.
The boxes, wires and wireless connectivity that makes everything run.
Hungary's government is forcing banks to fund ATMs in remote areas, calling it equal access to cash. Revolut, with no physical branches, is labeled a "free rider" for not contributing. Critics say this distorts competition and serves political interests over consumers.
Radio signals hijacked, pilots losing navigation, ships drifting off course - for many European nations, these scenarios are no longer far-fetched but pressing realities. Last year, Lithuania noticed a staggering 60% jump in GPS interference, which set off alarm bells across the continent.
The tech to close Europe’s digital divide exists—but bureaucracy and protectionism keep millions offline. The EU must cut red tape, enable competition, and adopt hybrid solutions—fiber where possible, satellites where needed. Affordable, accessible internet isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
"Global Gateway" is the EU’s €300 billion initiative to boost "smart, clean, and secure" links in digital, energy, and transport sectors worldwide, supporting emerging economies. Program's success depends on adopting new ideas, methods, and cutting bureaucracy to compete with global powers.
In December, EU ministers at the TTE Council largely opposed easing telecom mergers, extending telecom rules to digital services, and introducing new IP rules, citing risks to net neutrality and consumers. Will the Commission respect their opinion?
Tech policy circles on both sides of the Atlantic have been abuzz this week regarding outgoing President Biden’s AI diffusion or AI chip export control measures which essentially divide the EU into two tiers.
Four heavyweight initiatives - the Digital Networks Act, the Digital Fairness Act, updates to Public Procurement Directives, and the much-debated Chat Control - have the potential to radically reshape Europe’s tech landscape, affecting businesses, consumers, and public administrations alike.
The TTE Council approved conclusions on the EU's digital infrastructure needs but expressed caution about merger rules, fair competition, and dispute resolution changes, stressing that decisions must be evidence-based and carefully analyzed.
In this month’s EU Tech Loop wrap-up we dive into the EU's digital future: the EU Commission’s tech agenda, Digital Networks Act, Ukraine’s e-gov lessons, AI sandbox progress, BRICS digital sovereignty, EU red tape cuts, and EU-US tech ties.
We analyzed Ursula von der Leyen's mission letters to Commissioners, highlighting key agenda points for European tech over five years, focusing on their impact on competitiveness, consumers, innovation, and public administrations in EU Member States.
The BRICS coalition (currently including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates) has been increasingly vocalizing its position on its own tech sovereignty.
One of the key agenda points for the upcoming Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (starting on the January 1, 2025) will be the Digital Networks Act (DNA). The Polish objective is to have an orientation debate and progress report.
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