Catch up: #TeckTracks event on Telecoms Diversification with ETNO
On 12 May 2021, techUK convened a virtual panel session organised jointly by techUK and European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO) to examine the common threads and divergences in approach to the security of 5G and vendor diversification.
Watch the full panel session
ETNO’s Director General Lise Fuhr opened the event, centring the debate on secure and resilient 5G around the significant benefits that the next generation of connectivity can bring to UK and EU citizens in the next decade.
Peter Stuckmann outlined his perspectives as Head of Unit, Future Connectivity - DG CONNECT at the European Commission, specifically how secure 5G deployment is a key ambition of the EU’s Digital Decade, and there is no time to lose on rollout.
From the operator perspective, Richard Wainer (Policy and Public Affairs Director – Networks at BT Group) also stressed the importance of supporting 5G roll-out, the need for greater vendor diversification and how best to deliver that, as well as navigating the challenges diversification presents when removing high risk vendors. Richard also provided a perspective on how the UK telecoms security framework is evolving, as part of the Telecommunications (Security) Bill.
Finally, Farhat Raza—Head of Telecoms Diversification at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)—presented the policy points underpinning the UK’s vendor diversification strategy for 5G. Supporting incumbent suppliers, attracting new vendors and spurring global competition for open and disaggregated networks are the key strands for DCMS, as well as the department’s work on a longer-term strategy for ensuring the UK has the best quality connectivity possible.
Sabina Ciofu
Sabina Ciofu
Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.
Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.
As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.
Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.
Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.
She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +32 473 323 280
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
Sophie Greaves
Sophie Greaves
Sophie Greaves is Head of Programme for Communications Infrastructure and Services at techUK, and oversees the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.
Sophie was promoted to Head having been Programme Manager for Communications Infrastructure and Services, leading techUK's telecoms activities, engagement and policy development. Previously, Sophie was Programme Assistant across a variety of areas including the Broadband Stakeholder Group, Central Government, Financial Services and Communications Infrastructure programmes.
Prior to joining techUK, Sophie completed a masters in Film Studies at University College London; her dissertation examined US telecoms policy relating to net neutrality and content distribution.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2038
- Twitter:
- @SJMJames1
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiegreaves/