Shaping Europe’s next digital chapter
On 31 March 2026, Europe’s top digital policymakers, regulators and industry leaders will convene at the BEREC Stakeholder Forum to discuss the most pressing questions shaping the continent’s digital future. From the rollout of next-generation networks to the policies and investments driving innovation, the Forum offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from the voices shaping Europe’s Digital Decade – and to contribute to the conversation.
Meet & greet the BEREC driving force
The signature event’s format allows in-person stakeholders to meet directly with BEREC Working Group Co-chairs. During the Meet & Greet sessions, participants will exchange ideas on the challenges facing today’s digital ecosystem and collaborate on solutions to promote full connectivity, healthy competition and technological innovation across Europe.
These informal discussions will be followed by the main conference, which will be livestreamed on BEREC’s website and social media channels. Both online and in-person attendees will have the opportunity to engage with speakers and ask questions, ensuring a dynamic, interactive dialogue that spans Europe’s digital ecosystem.
Conference highlights
The Forum’s conference will be opened by Alejandra de Iturriaga (CNMC, Spain), incoming BEREC Chair, who will outline the BEREC Work Programme 2027. The programme is aligned with the recently adopted BEREC Strategy 2026-2030 and will set the direction for regulatory priorities in the years ahead. Ms de Iturriaga, together with current BEREC Chair Marko Mismas (AKOS, Slovenia), will engage directly with stakeholders, inviting contributions to the draft Work Programme and addressing questions on both current and future priorities.
A central highlight of the conference will be the institutional panel discussion, Crafting Europe’s Next Digital Framework. Bringing together representatives from the European Commission, the European Council, BEREC as well as academia and research institutions, the panel will provide a comprehensive institutional perspective on Europe’s evolving digital policy landscape, with particular emphasis on the Digital Networks Act. Moderated by the BEREC Vice-Chair Giacomo Lasorella (AGCOM, Italy), the panel will feature Renate Nikolay (European Commission), Frank Gallagher (Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU), Peter Alexiadis (Visiting professor at King’s College London and Research Fellow at CERRE) and Michel Van Bellinghen (BEREC Vice-Chair, BIPT, Belgium), representing European regulators. The discussion will explore regulatory priorities alongside technological innovation, investment challenges and public policy considerations that will shape the future of Europe’s communications sector.
Looking beyond the institutional framework, Erzsebet Fitori, Executive Director of the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking, will provide a high-level overview of emerging developments and their anticipated impact on the electronic communications sector, setting the stage for a forward-looking industry debate.
The panel discussion When Networks Sense, Connect and Transcend will gather leading market players to explore the evolution of future networks and services and their implications for market dynamics. Moderated by the BEREC Vice-Chair Klaus Steinmaurer (RTR, Austria) the panel will feature Mikael Back (Ericsson), Jordi Casanova (Amazon), Elsa Sependa (GSMA) and Alberto P. Marti (OpenNebula Systems). The discussion will examine the business case and key drivers of transformation, spanning traditional telecommunications models, network-as-a-platform approaches, and AI-native networks. Investment strategies, deployment challenges and public policy considerations will also be addressed to ensure that technological progress translates into sustainable market impact.
The Forum’s conference will conclude with a keynote address by Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission. In her speech, she will present the Commission’s vision for Europe’s Digital Decade, with a particular focus on the forthcoming Digital Networks Act. Her address will explore the broader policy context, investment requirements and evolving market dynamics that are reshaping Europe’s digital ecosystem.
Master of Ceremonies Jennifer Baker, an experienced journalist and communications professional, will guide the Forum’s sessions and panels, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience throughout the day.
Note to editors
BEREC promotes openness and transparency in its communications and is available to answer any further questions you may have. Editors and journalists attending the BEREC Stakeholder Forum will have a unique opportunity to go beyond the panels and engage directly with Europe’s leading digital regulators. Media representatives can request interviews with the BEREC Chair, Marko Mismas, and the incoming BEREC Chair 2027, Alejandra de Iturriaga. These interviews provide an exclusive opportunity to gain insights into strategic priorities, emerging challenges and transformative innovations shaping Europe’s communications landscape.
To arrange an interview or for any other inquiry, please contact the BEREC Communications Team at [email protected] before 30 March 2026. As time slots are limited, interviews will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.