Finland urges NATO, EU to shield critical networks after undersea cables damaged – POLITICO

Finland urges NATO, EU to shield critical networks after undersea cables damaged – POLITICO

This marks the second time in a year that Baltic Sea infrastructure — which includes communications cables and energy pipelines such as Nord Stream — has been damaged, raising concerns over security and sabotage. Another telecom cable in the Baltic Sea between Lithuania and Sweden’s Gotland Island was damaged Sunday morning, telecom company Telia Lietuva, … Read more

Shenzhen’s soaring R&D spending rivals Beijing, dwarfs Hong Kong amid China’s tech drive

Shenzhen’s soaring R&D spending rivals Beijing, dwarfs Hong Kong amid China’s tech drive

China’s southern tech hub Shenzhen spent a record amount on research and development (R&D) last year, rivalling Beijing’s level and vastly exceeding that of neighbouring Hong Kong to cement its position as a national research mecca. Shenzhen’s R&D expenditure jumped to 223.66 billion yuan (US$30.93 billion) in 2023, surpassing the 200-billion-yuan mark for the first … Read more

What lawmakers should ask the EU’s new tech boss – POLITICO

What lawmakers should ask the EU’s new tech boss – POLITICO

— Q: Only 8 percent of European companies currently use AI, according to a report published in July. How do you want to reach the target of 75 percent by 2030? — Q: President von der Leyen instructed you to develop a “Cloud and AI development plan” to boost computing power and data storage to … Read more

How do we close Europe’s innovation gap? Start with advanced connectivity and a strong intellectual property rights framework  – POLITICO

How do we close Europe’s innovation gap? Start with advanced connectivity and a strong intellectual property rights framework  – POLITICO

Getting the IPR framework right now to unleash long-term innovation EU policies adopted in the next five years will be foundational for Europe’s innovative ecosystem to thrive in the long term, improving conditions for the next wave of intellectual property lifecycles that can take over a decade to bear fruit. A smart and strategic policy … Read more

Europe’s tech security czar-to-be faces China fight at home – POLITICO

Europe’s tech security czar-to-be faces China fight at home – POLITICO

“The total value of business in China for Finnish companies is estimated to be more than 20 billion euros per year,” a 2023 report from the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs said, which labeled China as “one of our most important trade partners.” “Chinese investments play the largest role in Finland compared to any other … Read more

Europe needs concrete action on connectivity policy – POLITICO

Europe needs concrete action on connectivity policy – POLITICO

Governments doing the right thing Signs are starting to emerge of policymakers moving in the right direction. Over the past year, there has been growing acceptance of the need to address the challenges facing the sector. Enrico Letta, former Italian prime minister, has called for the completion of the single market for telecoms, and asked … Read more

CRTC expanding competitor access to big fibre networks, but too soon to know price impact

CRTC expanding competitor access to big fibre networks, but too soon to know price impact

Canada’s telecommunications regulator is expanding a decision that allows smaller internet providers to use rivals’ fibre networks to offer their services to customers, but it’s too soon to say whether the move will lead to lower prices for Canadians. Starting in February, large telephone companies that own fibre internet networks — like Bell Canada and Telus … Read more

Anger and awe as Ambanis prepare for billionaire heir’s extravagant wedding

Anger and awe as Ambanis prepare for billionaire heir’s extravagant wedding

The unmatched extravagance of Indian billionaire heir Anant Ambani’s wedding is creating divisions in a country where the gap between the rich and poor is stark and growing. The son of Asia’s richest man has already partied through a series of pre-wedding festivities for his coming union to Radhika Merchant, including a three-day March event … Read more

Germany goes soft on China, dragging out Huawei ban until 2029 – POLITICO

Germany goes soft on China, dragging out Huawei ban until 2029 – POLITICO

Huawei components would have to be removed from radio access networks such as antenna masts by the end of 2029 instead of the end of 2026. This is a satisfactory outcome for German operators, who were planning to replace them by then anyway, limiting extra costs. Greens lawmaker Tobias Bacherle deplored the “unnecessary room for … Read more

The European Parliament has changed your life — really. Here’s how. – POLITICO

The European Parliament has changed your life — really. Here’s how. – POLITICO

But as we wait to see how the 2024 EU election shakes down, here’s a snapshot of some of the smaller but more tangible things MEPs have done over the last five years. One charger to power them all Apple itself will never admit it, but when it launched the iPhone 15 with a regular … Read more