Marc Murtra criticizes excessive regulation on the continent and states that the measure is essential to compete with US and China giants
The new chief executive of, defended on Monday (3.mar.2025) that Europe allows the merger of companies in the telecommunications sector. According to him, the measure should generate scale gain and strengthen the technological potential of European operators, which would make it possible to compete with large companies in the United States and China.
“It’s time to allow large European telecommunications companies to consolidate and grow to create technological capacity.”Murtra said at the opening of (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona.
For him, the measure is essential to the future of the continent. “This can strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy, unlock productivity and improve people’s lives”he added.
However, he stressed that adjustments should also start from regulators. “We will not be just us who we will have to adapt. A, Member States and Regulators also need to modify their rules and objectives to allow technological and telecommunications consolidation ”, stated. Otherwise, warns that “Europe’s position in the world will continue to decline and we will not have the ability to decide our future autonomously”.
European stagnation
According to the executive, the continent faces challenges such as excessive fragmentation in the telecommunications sector, excessive regulation and insufficient financial returns, factors that have braked the European technological advance.
Murtra cited as an example the US, Middle East and Asia markets, which demonstrate the positive effects of more favorable regulatory environments for operators. For him, these countries have managed to create and expand large companies that drive innovation and the development of new technologies.
“We are now in a new era where gigantic technology companies are once again boosting changes intensely. These giants act as dominant players in almost monopolistic markets, have deep knowledge and are more skilled than they were 20 years ago ”these.
He stressed that “All these companies are headquartered in the US and China”reinforcing the need for Europe to advance so as not to lose relevance globally.
Telefónica controls the in Brazil and has a presence in several countries.
