Digital Europe: next generation investments, economic recovery and sustainability

BRUSSELS – Chief executive officers of leading telecoms and ICT equipment companies from Europe, America and Asia will gather at ETNO’s 2nd CEO Summit to discuss how to generate growth and jobs and boost ‘green’ economy.

The 2nd global CEO Summit is organised this year in Seville on 30 October. It coincides with ETNO’s annual general assembly chaired by Telefónica and will bring together CEOs along with leading officials from the European institutions, regulators and key sector actors.

The CEOs will call on the EU and international policy makers to stimulate all sectors of the economy to embrace new technologies and to create the appropriate conditions for risky investment in next generation high speed broadband services.

“Telefónica is proud to hold the 2nd ETNO CEO Summit at a key moment for the European Union, in view of a new term for the European Commission, with the aim to bring new ideas and concrete proposals to make Europe the leading digital economy, for the benefit of all Europeans”, says César Alierta, Chairman and CEO of Telefónica and CEO Summit Chair 2009.

“Next generation access networks and services will not only help Europe recovering from the crisis and create new jobs but they will also directly contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency in all sectors of the economy. High speed networks and the investment they require must therefore be the top priority of the next European Commission for the five years to come”, says Michael Bartholomew, ETNO Director.

E-communications infrastructure and services are key enablers to reduce carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency. The ICT sector is therefore instrumental in the strategy to address climate change and will be a driver of the so-called ‘green’ economy. Chief executives will address the concrete policy measures that need to be put in place in order to incentivise citizens and businesses to opt for broadband-based low-carbon solutions.

To fully reap the benefits of the ‘greener’ digital economy, Europe must catch up with other main economic regions in the roll out of high speed broadband access networks. CEOs and policy makers will discuss among others how to promote investment, the national stimulus plans, the respective role of private/public sectors as well as ICT’s contribution to economic recovery.

For more information, please consult www.etno.eu or contact Thierry Dieu, ETNO Communications Manager (dieu@etno.be or 32 2 227 10 82);

For Telefónica, please contact David Nicholas, Director of Communication, Telefónica Europe (+44 771 575 9176/ david.nicholas@o2.com)

About ETNO

ETNO’s 42 member companies from 36 European countries represent a significant part of total ICT activity in Europe. They account for an aggregate annual turnover of more than 270 billion Euros, employ over one million people across Europe and account for more 70% of total sector investment. ETNO companies are the main drivers of broadband and are committed to its continual growth in Europe.

About Telefónica
Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market capitalisation. Its activities are centered mainly on the fixed and mobile telephony businesses with broadband as the key tool for the development of both.

The company has a significant presence in 25 countries and a customer base that amounts to 264 million accesses around the world. Telefónica has a strong presence in Spain, Europe and Latin America, where the company focuses an important part of its growth strategy.

Telefónica is a 100% listed company, with more than 1.5 million direct shareholders. Its share capital currently comprises 4,704,996,485 ordinary shares traded on the Spanish Stock Market (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia) and on those in London, Tokyo, New York, Lima, Buenos Aires and São Paulo.