On 5 September, 300 experts from the telecoms and adjacent industries came together for the GSMA’s inaugural Mobile 360 Europe conference focused on the potential impact of mobile technologies beyond the telecoms sector. Delegates discussed the regulatory framework necessary to harness the full economic potential of mobile connectivity and support the development of connected cities and communities.
Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Digital Agenda, and Franco Bernabè, Chairman of the GSMA and Chairman and CEO of the Telecom Italia Group, were among the keynote speakers. They both expressed concern about the development of the European mobile market. Vice-President Kroes said “we badly need to be back in the driver’s seat”, before setting out five ways to make cities smarter, citizens more empowered, and lives more prosperous, connectivity being the “absolute prerequisite for all the rest”.
“The mobile industry can play a key role in the European recovery,” added Anne Bouverot, Director General, GSMA, “but this will require policy that encourages investment in mobile broadband connectivity, enables innovation and helps build consumer confidence in mobile services. This should be at the heart of the Commission’s planned proposals on a single telecoms market.”
To demonstrate the contribution mobile technologies can make to other sectors and the broader economy, the event hosted expert presentations and panel discussions in the fields of health, energy, transport, entrepreneurship and employment. A final high level keynote panel debated the mix of policies needed to maximise mobile’s potential to connect cities and communities and accelerate the delivery of the ensuing benefits to Europe’s citizens and businesses.
A Connected Living Showcase exhibition demonstrated hands-on examples of how mobile technologies are already enhancing everyday lives. The event concluded with a cocktail reception opened by Xavier Trias i Vidal de Llobatera, President Mobile World Capital Barcelona Foundation and Mayor of Barcelona.
Mobile 360 Europe, which will be an annual event in Brussels, is part of the GSMA’s Mobile 360 series.
Watch the video below for highlights from the inaugural Mobile 360 Series event in Brussels.
