By Clifford Agugoesi, Editor-in-Chief
Under the broad theme: Building Back Better – Europe’s Post-COVID Digital Future Strengthening Europe’s digital communications capability, resilience and inclusivity, the IIC/BEREC Forum will once again bring together statutory national regulators and industry in a collegiate, neutral setting to debate policy issues which have global significance and attendees will have the privilege and opportunity of interfacing with senior level stakeholders from the telecommunications, media and technology (TMT)sectors in the sharing of ideas and best practices.
The online event holds from Wednesday May 26 to Thursday 27 May, 2021. On May 26 the webinar holds between 1300-1700 CEST / 1200-1600 BST while on May 27, it holds between 0900-1300 CEST / 0800-1200 BST.
According to a heads-up from the IIC Director-General, Lynn Robinson, this year’s discussions will focus on four key themes:
• Post-COVID recovery plans, stimulus packages, and delivering the Digital Decade – closing digital divides through investment and reforms
• Digital Markets Act (DMA) & Digital Services Act (DSA) – roles & responsibilities, effectiveness & future-proofing, international consensus
• Green growth, sustainability & ICT’s role in the climate change agenda – how might regulation contribute?
• Paradigm shift for secure connectivity and critical infrastructure provision – mitigating supply chain risk; open interface solutions; 5G’s role in post-COVID recovery
Speakers for the event include:
- Chairperson of BEREC 2021; Michel Van Bellinghen
- Chairman of the Council, Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) Annemarie Sipkes
- Incoming BEREC Chair 2022; Director Telecommunications, Transport and Postal Services Department, Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) Johan Keetelaar
- Director Public Policy, Head of Connectivity and Access EMEA, Facebook, Boutheina Guermazi
- Director, Digital Development, Infrastructure Practice Group, The World Bank, David Wheeldon
- Group Director, Policy and Public Affairs, Sky and Member of the Board, Conseil Superieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA), France, Michèle Léridon.
