How to keep the viability of the current economic Internet model is the key policy issue that will be at the centre of ETNO's activities in the year to come

Brussels – How to keep the viability of the current economic Internet model despite traffic growth, driven primarily by video applications, and how to afford the huge network investment needed to meet the European Digital Agenda objectives are the two key market and policy issues that will be at the centre of ETNO's activities in the year to come, said Luigi Gambardella, who is holding the chairmanship of ETNO’s Executive Board as of January 1st, 2011. Gambardella succeeds to Antonio Robalo de Almeida from Portugal Telecom.

“Without any change to the current model there is a significant risk that the increasing congestion will impact on the entire value chain, to the detriment of all Internet market players and of growth and innovation in the EU. Without being able to better align traffic volumes and revenues, there is likely to be a shortfall in network investment required over the next 5 years in both fixed and mobile networks to support the expected traffic growth”, said Luigi Gambardella, ETNO Executive Board Chair.

“All market players have an obligation to find a new equilibrium to the benefit of the Internet ecosystem, keeping it open and interoperable. Policy makers should be supportive of commercial initiatives contributing to investment, innovation and more efficient use of the Internet for the benefit of all. ETNO recalls the necessity to further boost investments in high speed broadband networks in the EU, to the benefit of citizens and of all market players along the Internet value chain, ” added Gambardella.

Currently Telecom Italia’s Vice-President Relations with European Institutions and International Organisations, Gambardella joined the Group in 1999 as responsible for relations with the National Regulatory Authority. From 1996 to 1999 Luigi Gambardella ran the regulatory and Institutional affairs for Olivetti.

Luigi is also President of EUBrasil,  the Association for the development of the relationship between Brazil and Europe,  a Member of the Advisory and Support Group of BUSINESSEUROPE, a Member of the Board of the European American Business Council; a Member of the Board of the European Internet Foundation; a Member of the BIAC - Business and Industry Advisory Committee- at the OECD; a Member of the Competitiveness Working Group of the European Round Table of Industrialists; President of Puntoit, the Italian association for the development of the digital economy and  a Member of Comitato Europa of CONFINDUSTRIA.

Luigi graduated in economics from Bocconi University in Milan.

For more information, please contact Thierry Dieu, ETNO Communications Manager Tel:    (32-2) 219 32 42 Fax:  (32-2) 219 64 12 E-mail: dieu@etno.be

ETNO’s 41 member companies from 35 European countries represent a significant part of total ICT activity in Europe. They account for an aggregate annual turnover of more than ?250 billion and employ over one million people across Europe. ETNO companies are the main drivers of broadband and are committed to its continual growth in Europe.