Is It Time for Big Tech to Pay Their Fair Share? The Case for Backing Telecom Networks

In this session we will invite industry leaders to examine Mario Draghi’s 170 recommendations for addressing the imbalance of outlay between Telcos and Big Tech. Draghi's proposals, commissioned by the European Union, call for Big Tech firms to contribute to the costs of digital infrastructure, as they are the primary drivers of traffic on networks built and maintained by telcos. On the other hand, Big Tech companies argue that they already invest heavily in network infrastructure, such as undersea cables and data centers, which support global connectivity.

The session will debate both sides of the growing dispute including regulatory changes, financial contributions, as well as the broader implications for fair competition, innovation, and the future of global internet connectivity.