GSMA Europe Mobile Meetings Series: Wearable technologies: a world of seamless you and digital you

With the rapid evolution of consumer lifestyles, wearable devices, such as smart watches and fitness bands, have increasingly become part of the everyday life, occupying a special position between the digital and human worlds. On 27 April, GSMA Europe hosted a Mobile Meetings Series breakfast debate on Wearable technologies: a world of seamless you and digital you. Participants, including officials from the European Commission, Member States, industry representatives and think tanks, discussed the potential of mobile to support the development of wearable technologies for consumers’ benefit.

Europe is well positioned to harness the potential of smart wearables. From a relatively low base, the wearables market is growing rapidly, presenting opportunities in a number of sectors, such as health, household, textiles and construction. However, participants at the breakfast debate noted that there are still a number of challenges that are curbing growth.

EU policymakers have an important role to play in ensuring the trust and security of data, transparency for consumers, interoperability and infrastructure investments. Participants agreed that regulation related to wearable technologies must be clear and consistent and provide legal certainty to foster innovation. A legislative framework that brings greater standards and technology neutrality, clarity to innovators and developers, alongside the expansion of consumers’ options, will allow the wearables market to continue to innovate and foster growth in Europe.

Finally, the participants agreed that a joint effort and coordination of all the actors involved in this sector, including the mobile industry, is required to exploit the full potential of wearable technologies.