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On September 23, 2025, Europe’s major telecommunications companies gathered in Brussels to make their case: AI is coming, data traffic is exploding, and Europe’s digital sovereignty is at risk unless policymakers let telcos charge more, consolidate further, and secure a bigger role in Europe’s AI future.
The pitch sounds familiar. Every few years, new technology becomes the reason telcos argue for higher fees or regulatory favors. This time, it’s AI. The problem? Consumers and Europe’s digital market risk paying the price, while the benefits remain unclear. Let’s break down what telcos said—and what it really means. 1. “Connectivity is a strategic asset” What telcos say: Europe’s competitiveness and security depend on strong connectivity. Reality check: Yes, networks matter. But framing connectivity as a “strategic asset” shifts the conversation toward urgency and national security, which makes it politically harder for regulators to reject demands for new fees or special treatment. It’s a way of saying, “Europe can’t succeed in AI without us—so give us more money.” Consumer impact: A truly competitive digital market should expand networks efficiently without turning telcos into tollbooth operators for everyone else online. 2. “AI needs Europe’s networks” What telcos say: AI traffic is growing fast, and AI platforms should help pay for the infrastructure they use. Reality check: Traffic growth is real. But telcos are framing it as a shared European ambition rather than a commercial negotiation. The real goal? New revenue streams—especially from hyperscalers and high-traffic platforms—without necessarily proving that consumers or innovation will benefit. Consumer impact: Higher costs imposed on AI platforms could eventually trickle down to users or slow innovation, especially if fees become arbitrary rather than tied to clear cost-sharing principles. 3. “AI traffic will grow 50% per year” What telcos say: Rising traffic means Europe needs bigger networks, faster. Reality check: True. But using traffic statistics to justify higher fees mixes public policy goals with private revenue strategies. Just because AI traffic grows doesn’t mean handing telcos new rights to charge others is the best—or only—solution. Consumer impact: Without careful policy design, consumers could face fewer choices and higher costs if network fees discourage competition or innovation. 4. “We’re democratizing AI” What telcos say: We’re giving broad access to AI solutions for everyone. Reality check: Most AI traffic will come from cloud platforms and enterprise users, not directly from consumers on telco-owned services. Highlighting “AI for everyone” sounds good but distracts from the main issue: who pays for the underlying infrastructure. Consumer impact: Real democratization comes from open markets and fair rules, not from one industry lobbying for financial privileges under the banner of accessibility. 5. “We need AI for secure networks” What telcos say: Investing in AI helps us secure networks, which benefits everyone. Reality check: Security investments are real, but linking them to demands for higher fees frames them as a public obligation rather than part of normal business operations. It’s another way of turning essential upgrades into bargaining chips. Consumer impact: Europe needs secure networks—but funding them through competitive, transparent markets is better than handing telcos regulatory shortcuts. 6. “Europe needs more investment for prosperity” What telcos say: Without more funding, Europe will fall behind in AI and digital infrastructure. Reality check: This creates a sense of crisis—invest or be left behind—which pressures policymakers to accept telcos’ terms without fully examining whether those terms actually deliver value to consumers or the digital economy. Consumer impact: Long-term digital prosperity comes from competition and innovation, not from concentrating power in a few legacy providers. 7. “We need European scale” What telcos say: Allowing bigger mergers will help us compete globally. Reality check: Consolidation can reduce costs—but it also reduces competition. Framing it as a strategic necessity sidesteps the risk of creating national or regional monopolies with little incentive to innovate or keep prices low. Consumer impact: Europe’s digital sovereignty shouldn’t mean fewer choices or higher prices for consumers. It should mean fair competition under EU rules for everyone—domestic or foreign, big or small. The Bigger Picture: Sovereignty vs. Monopoly Telcos are right about one thing: AI will reshape Europe’s digital economy, and networks matter. But Europe doesn’t need a digital future where a few legacy companies hold all the cards. True digital sovereignty means open competition, fair regulation, and policies that serve consumers—not just incumbents or foreign tech giants. The EU should design rules that ensure everyone pays their fair share without turning the internet into a patchwork of national champions and hidden fees. Because in the end, the goal isn’t to protect telcos or big tech. It’s to build a digital market that works for Europeans. Comments are closed.
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