On the 16th September, we will focus on digital platforms and data. Key topics include:
- Europe’s digital rulebook – asset or liability? The volume of legislation in the digital field has significantly expanded in recent years, but to what extent has it been effective in achieving results? Will Europe’s pro-activity in regulation help or hinder its ambitions towards digital leadership in an environment where other regions are rolling back the rules? Can it be simplified? If so, how?
- The Impact of AI: A Game Changer for Digital Markets and Regulation? In this session, we will consider how the introduction of AI could influence service delivery across the value chain. How will AI shape the evolution of digital ecosystems and competition in digital markets? Can European AI players successfully compete? What policy responses might be needed?
- Protecting consumers in the digital age: As the Commission announces investigations on players such as X and pornographic platforms, what impact has the Digital Services Act had on reducing misinformation, electoral manipulation and protecting vulnerable consumers including children? What further action is needed to protect citizens in the digital age, and what role could be played by the Digital Fairness Act.
- Reviewing the Merger Guidelines – impact on telecoms: The review of the Merger Guidelines could have major implications for the future structure of telecom markets. In this session we will consider how the Guidelines could affect future merger decisions in telecom markets and influence the balance between structural and behavioural remedies.
- Digital Markets Act - past experience and lessons learned: In this session, we discuss the impact of the DMA on consumers, digital platforms service and app developers in the two years since the first gatekeepers were designated. What progress has been made in opening key applications such as web browsing, search and app stores, to competition, and in supporting interoperability for designated NIICS such as WhatsApp? What lessons can be learned for the upcoming review of the DMA? Does the scope need to be extended?
- Cloud sovereignty, interoperability and switching: In this session we consider what progress has been made in improving interoperability between cloud services and addressing the high barriers to switching, and look at how Europe can support investment in sustainable cloud and AI capacity. What role might the new cloud and AI development act play, and how will it relate to existing initiatives?
On the 17th September, the conference will focus on telecoms markets. Key topics include:
- Rewriting the telecom rulebook: the Digital Networks Act. What are the main challenges holding Europe back from achieving the Digital Decade targets? What are the options for the reform of the EU Electronic Communications Framework? Is a significant rewrite needed, or can future connectivity challenges be tackled with just minor revisions? What will be the implications for consumers, infrastructure providers and telecom operators as well as regulatory authorities and national administrations?
- Options for access regulation in a fibre environment: SMP regulation was designed at a time when European markets were transitioning from historic incumbency towards liberalisation, but as we migrate from copper to modern networks, is it still fit for purpose in a full fibre environment? In this session we will consider the case for revision of the Relevant Market Recommendation as well as measures to facilitate copper switch-off and the long-term future for access regulation in a fibre environment.
- Future mobile markets and implications for policy: Europe is behind other regions in the deployment of “full” 5G, but what are the underlying reasons, and what can be done to boost investment while fostering competition and innovation in mobile services and IoT? In this session, we explore whether existing mobile market structures can support 5G investment, whether net neutrality rules are holding back development of quality-based services and what mechanisms may be needed to support network cloudification and unleash cross-border IoT in the EU and beyond.
- Implementing the Gigabit Infrastructure Act: By November 2025, the majority of provisions of the GIA will need to be implemented at national level. In this session we provide insights regarding best practice conditions for access to physical infrastructure and implementation of the Single Information Point as well as standards for in-building infrastructure.
Speakers include:
- Agustin Reyna, Director General of BEUC
- Nils Berndt, Deputy Director General of DG JUST, European Commission
- Guillaume Loriot, Deputy Director-General, DG Competition, European Commission
- Alberto Bacchiega, Director for Digital Platforms at DG Competition, European Commission
- Kamila Kloc, Director for the Digital Decade and Connectivity, DG CNECT European Commission
- Robert Mourik, BEREC Chair 2025 and Commissioner Comreg
- Marko Mismas, BEREC Chair 2026, Director AKOS
- Sarah Jacquier-Pelissier, Board Member, ARCEP
- Prof. William Kovacic, George Mason University Foundation Professor at the George Mason University School of Law, and former Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission
- Prof. Alexandre de Streel, Academic Director of the digital research programme at CERRE and Professor of European law at the University of Namur, Chair of the Namur Digital Institute (NADI).
- Dr Martin Moore, Senior Lecturer in Political Communication Education & Director of the Centre for the Study of Media, Communication and Power, Kings College London
- Representatives from digital platforms, cloud service providers and telecom infrastructure, network and service providers
