Operator Expert Groups

Regulatory Operator Expert Group – REG

REG covers public policy issues related to the regulation of mobile communications services and infrastructure in the EU. Focus areas include Digital Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Telecoms Supply Chain, Net Neutrality and Roaming. The group also contributes to the work of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA).

Chair: Anton Horshkov, Deutsche Telekom
Vice-Chairs: Volcy Lesca, (Orange), Javier Domínguez Lacasa (Telefónica) and Manuel Braga-Monteiro (Vodafone)

GSMA Contact:

Lotte Abildgaard

Director Public Policy, Europe , GSMA

Lotte leads the public policy initiatives on the regulatory files in GSMA Europe, coordinating activities to advance the members’ positions on a range of topics including net neutrality, roaming, cyber security and the wider debate on a proportionate framework to sustain long term investments in connectivity across Europe.

Lotte has broad experiences from the telecommunications sector working with regulators and policymakers at national, European and international level. She was heading up Telenor’s Representative Office for 6 years where she positioned Telenor in various EU policy debates besides focusing on international relations between the EU and Asia. She also spent 3 years at Telenor’s headquarter in Oslo supporting Telenor Group in its relationship with international stakeholders.

Before joining GSMA’s Brussels Office, Lotte was employed by a large Danish bank where she implemented new financial regulation as a senior project manager.

Lotte is a Danish native and holds a master of agricultural economics from University of Copenhagen.

[email protected]

Digital Economy Expert Group – DEC

DEC covers the public policy issues related to the regulation of the digital economy and society in the EU. Focus areas include Platform economy, Data, Artificial Intelligence, Consumer and Content policy. The group also contributes to the work of the European Commission’ stakeholders expert groups on GDPR application and REFIT of Consumer law.

Chair: Krisztina Baracsi, Vice President EU Affairs, Telenor

Vice-Chairs: Benjamin Ledwon (Deutsche Telekom), Elin Nielsen (Orange) and Matthew Allison (Vodafone)

GSMA Contact:

Pierantonio Rizzo

Director, EU Affairs, GSMA

Pierantonio Rizzo leads the public policy activities on Digital Economy and Society matters at the GSMA Europe. In his role of Director EU Affairs, Pierantonio is responsible for Platform economy, Data, Artificial Intelligence, Consumer policy and Disinformation. He also contributes to the work of the European Commission’ stakeholders expert group on the REFIT of Consumer law.

Prior to joining the GSMA in 2017, Pierantonio worked at the European Parliament for an Italian MEP, where he followed the activities of IMCO and AFET Committees. He began his career as policy analyst at Rohde Public Policy, a public affairs consultancy firm.

Pierantonio holds a Masters of European Affairs from the Catholic University of Paris and a LLM from the University of Bologna, during which he had an exchange program with the Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas. Pierantonio speaks Italian, English, French and is currently learning Spanish.

[email protected]

Frequencies Operator Expert Group – FREQ

FREQ focuses on radio spectrum issues including EU spectrum roadmaps and policy, awards and authorisations as well as spectrum management. The group has an EU focus but also contributes to the work of the Conference of European Post and Telecommunications Authorities (CEPT).

Chair: Javier Domínguez Lacasa, Telefónica

Vice Chairs: Stephen Pentland, Vodafone Group and Päivi Ruuska, Telia Company

GSMA Contact:

Emma O’Toole

Director, Spectrum, GSMA

As Senior Manager for Spectrum, Emma leads on GSMA Europe’s efforts to represent the mobile industry on European spectrum policy, helping to develop and deliver an advocacy agenda that ensures mobile operators have timely and affordable access to appropriate spectrum.

An Economist by training, Emma has experience in academic research as well as a corporate and regulated company environment and is specialised in telecommunications regulation, market and policy analysis.

Emma has extensive experience working on a broad range of telecoms regulatory and public policy issues having previously worked as the in-house Regulatory Economist and EU-level representative for the former Irish incumbent, Eir.

Prior to joining GSMA in 2021, Emma also worked as a Senior Analyst with Cullen International, monitoring and reporting on EU and national telecoms and spectrum policy developments.

Emma holds a MSc in Economics and Policy in addition to a Bachelor of Commerce (International) from the National University of Ireland Galway.

[email protected]