Editorial: La Vanguardia

• The European Union needs larger companies to compete with the technological leadership of the US and China.
• Telefónica calls for European authorities to relax existing regulations to allow for industry consolidation and enhance their technological potential.
• The telecommunications sector has been left behind due to company fragmentation and excess regulation.
• The Vice President of the European Commission, Henna Virkkunen, calls for a redefinition of how new networks operate and are designed.
• The EU wishes to achieve total fiber and 5G coverage by 2030, requiring an investment of over 200 billion euros.
• 5G networks cover just 30% of mobile connections in Europe, compared to 60% in the US and 50% in Asia.
• In the US and China there are three major telecom operators, while in Europe there are hundreds, preventing fair competitive opportunities.

Conclusion: It is necessary to adapt regulations to allow for technological and telecommunications consolidation. Otherwise, Europe will continue to lose relevance and its ability to decide its future autonomously.

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