Pallete is lowering his tone against Google and Amazon and calling for a “global alliance” in the sector.
Telefónica President José María Álvarez-Pallete advocates a “global alliance” in the telecommunications sector to achieve a “sustainable and beneficial” value chain for all system participants and rejects “offensive positioning”, while emphasizing its commitment to the new regulatory framework and “responsible use of shared resources” EP reports.
“The time has come for a global alliance and fair governance to achieve sustainable and beneficial value chain for all,” Telefonica’s “first sword” was announced in the opening speech of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024.
“It’s time for cooperation, not offensive positioning. It’s time to use shared resources responsibly. It is time for a new regulatory landscape. We need 21st century regulation. “It’s time to say goodbye to old regulatory models,” he added.
Thus, the President of Telefónica addressed the demand of the main European telecommunications companies for a “fair share”, a measure they are demanding in view of the large investments in networks that will be required in the coming years to counter the rise of various technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), and which large companies in the sector are contrasted with leading technology companies, such as Amazon, Meta, Netflix, Google, Apple or Microsoft.
“Currently six actors are consuming more than 50% of network capacity. It is important that we encourage them to use network bandwidth and energy consumption responsibly. We must motivate them to use the network responsibly,” Alvarez-Pallet emphasized in his speech.
Open gateway preview
The manager also highlighted that there are currently 47 companies in the telecommunications sector participating in Open Gateway, an initiative led by GSMA, the global mobile industry association. unlock the potential of networking opportunities telecommunications companies in an interoperable and programmable way through open and standardized APIs (Application Programming Interface).
Thus, the initiative, launched at last year’s MWC, brings together a total of 239 networks representing approximately 65% of global mobile connections.
“A year ago, we shared a vision for the industry, the future of our sector, a massive revolution in a new era, the era of earth computing, in which networks become active and liquid,” he emphasized.
In this context, he stressed that API-centric models are already “necessary” and highlighted that six countries (Spain, Brazil, Germany, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and South Africa) have launched their first APIs with the joint participation of the majority of their respective operators in every territory.
Additionally, he highlighted that 40 networks have at least one API already in commercial use to address needs such as enhanced security, camera or drone control for detect anomalies or improve security to help banks to combat fraud.
“Collaboration embodies the power of what can be done when we come together. And that’s what the GSMA does. This is an Open Gateway. And I’m proud to belong to the GSMA. Vision and reality merge in a new world of diversity, curiosity, intelligence, innovation, progress, sustainability, well-being and humanity. “We are proud of what we have created,” said Telefonica’s president.
The manager also took the opportunity to remind that Telefónica will be 100 years old in 2024. “A company will only reach its hundredth anniversary if it sets itself the goal of serving society and adapts to continue achieving it, as is the case with Telefónica. Proof of this is the fact that some companies in our sector are centuries old. We are a relevant sector because we care about people,” he emphasized.