Rome, March 2026 — The International Institute of Communications (IIC) Italy Chapter has published its latest report, Telecommunications in the Digital Transformation: Regulatory and Policy Outcome, offering a comprehensive overview of the policy, regulatory, and market dynamics shaping Europe’s digital future.
Prepared at the initiative of the IIC Italy Chapter, with the support of MEDEA (Mediterranean Europe and Africa), the report is edited by Adriana Mutu, Coordinator or MEDEA. It reflects a collaborative effort among leading stakeholders across the telecommunications and digital ecosystem.
A Landmark Event Driving the Report
The publication builds on the outcomes of a high-level meeting held on 11 November 2025 in Rome, jointly organized by the IIC Italy Chapter and the Italian Communications Regulatory Authority (Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni, AGCOM).
This landmark event brought together senior representatives from European and national regulatory authorities, including Roberto Viola, Director General of DG CONNECT at the European Commission; Giacomo Lasorella, AGCOM President; and Laura Aria and Elisa Giomi, AGCOM Commissioners.
Industry leaders included Giuseppe Gola, CEO of Open Fiber; Pietro Labriola, CEO of TIM Group; Benedetto Levi, CEO of Iliad Italia; Walter Renna, CEO of Fastweb / Vodafone; Diego Ciulli, Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google Italy; Antongiulio Lombardi, Regulatory Affairs Director, WindTre; and Livia Ferraro, Head of IT Digital Public Policy, Amazon.
Academic and legal expertise was provided by Sandro Frova from Bocconi University, Fabrizio Cugia of Cugia Cuomo & Associates and Raffaele Giarda of Baker McKenzie, also members of the IIC Italian Chapter. Contributions from sector associations and councils were represented by Alessandro Gropelli, Director General, Connect Europe; Francesco Nonno, President, FTTH Council Europe; and Pinar Serdengecti, Regulation and Competition Affairs Director, European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA). The sessions were moderated by Andrea Biondi, Deputy Editor of Il Sole 24 Ore.
The meeting was inaugurated by Elisa Giomi, Commissioner at the Italian Communications Regulatory Authority, alongside Augusto Preta, President of the IIC Italy Chapter, CEO of ITMedia Consulting and founding member of MEDEA.
Key Themes and Strategic Outcomes
The report captures the key insights and conclusions from the event, structured around four central themes:
1. Regulation and Digital Sovereignty
Participants underscored the strategic importance of telecommunications networks for Europe’s autonomy. The report calls for coherent EU-level policies that protect critical infrastructure while ensuring open and competitive markets.
2. Investment and Infrastructure Development
A major outcome highlights the urgent need for sustained investment in fibre and next-generation mobile networks. The report stresses the importance of predictable, technology-neutral regulation and stronger public-private collaboration to support large-scale deployment.
3. Telecom–Platform Convergence
The discussions explored the evolving relationship between telecom operators and digital platforms, including issues of fair contribution and competition. The report identifies opportunities for telecom operators to transition toward integrated “TechCo” models, expanding into cloud, edge computing, and digital services.
4. Innovation, Competition, and Consumer Benefits
Ensuring high-quality, secure, and affordable connectivity remains a priority. The report highlights the need to stimulate demand for advanced connectivity services, addressing the persistent gap between network availability and adoption.
A Strategic Contribution to Policy Debate
The report concludes that telecommunications networks are a foundational pillar of Europe’s digital transformation, economic resilience, and technological sovereignty. It emphasizes that regulatory certainty, investment-friendly frameworks, and sustained stakeholder collaboration are essential to achieving Europe’s digital ambitions. Importantly, the findings contribute to ongoing policy discussions at both national and European levels, including the implementation of emerging regulatory frameworks such as the Digital Networks Act and broader strategies to accelerate digital adoption.
Looking Ahead
The IIC Italy Chapter reaffirms the importance of continued dialogue among regulators, industry, and policymakers. The insights presented in this report aim to support evidence-based policymaking and foster a competitive, innovative, and inclusive telecommunications ecosystem across Europe.
For further information, please contact the IIC Italy Chapter or MEDEA.
Please cite this publication as: IIC Italy Chapter Telecommunications in the Digital Transformation: Regulatory Policy Outcome Report, March 2026, Rome.
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