European telecom CEOs urge increased investment and policy reform for connectivity

On September 18, 2026, 17 CEOs of major European telecommunications groups, including Cyta CEO Giorgos Metzakis, published an open letter via Connect Europe. The signatories are calling for a coherent regulatory framework and increased investment to strengthen European connectivity networks, specifically regarding 5G, 6G, and fiber optics.

The industry leaders emphasized that modern digital networks are essential for enhancing Europe's competitiveness, supporting artificial intelligence, developing a sovereign cloud, and ensuring critical infrastructure resilience. The group notes that the connectivity ecosystem currently contributes approximately 5% to the European GDP, with providers already investing €64 billion annually. However, they highlighted a significant funding gap, estimating that an additional €475 billion is required specifically for the mobile sector to meet future infrastructure needs.

The letter explicitly addresses the ongoing reforms associated with the Digital Networks Act and the Cybersecurity Act. By aligning their efforts, these executives, who also represent major groups such as Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, Swisscom, Telenor, TIM, KPN, and Proximus, aim to shape a more cohesive policy environment that fosters technological capacity and ensures long-term European digital security.