Digitization is a social issue

Constantly on the move on behalf of members. There are no ordinary days at work for Kajsa Frisell, an industry policy expert at IT&Telecomföretagen, whose duties include everything from helping to dig cables to meeting top politicians.

Kajsa Frisell has been working since March / less than a year at IT & Telecom companies but is almost a veteran in the field after several years at the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority, PTS, and the government's Broadband Forum.

- I've been working on the same issues for a long time, just from different perspectives. In the last few years at PTS, I worked for the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation in what was called the Broadband Forum's office to implement the government's IT policy. Today, I work on behalf of our member companies to influence policy on the issues we see as important.

What is a typical day at work like?

- There is probably no such thing as an ordinary day. My job is to represent the interests of member companies to decision-makers, which means I have to be well informed about their issues and activities. Otherwise, I cannot credibly represent them. So it can be anything from sitting in a trench and seeing how to weld fiber, to meetings with member companies about their challenges, and meetings with politicians.

How can you influence them?

- First of all, I listen to the member companies. Then it's about formulating the issue so that a politician understands; getting over the technology barrier and being able to formulate why the issue is in the interest of society. Of course, it is not possible to assume that all politicians are familiar with the telecom companies' circumstances, which is why the meeting itself is often important. Because the issues are so important for Sweden, we often have the opportunity to be a strong voice in the debate.

How would you describe the benefits to members of what you do?

- Because I represent so many companies, I represent a significant part of the industry and am therefore invited to many contexts where I can help influence decision-makers. At the same time, I can feed back to members what issues are important in other parts of the industry so that we are always relevant. A prerequisite is the communication council consisting of representatives from member companies that I have as a sounding board, and with whom I constantly have a dialog to be able to have a perspective that is close to their business.

What issues are most important now?

- Getting the digital infrastructure in place. Many companies want to invest, but there are some obstacles. The government's policy is that the market should primarily build the digital infrastructure, and there are several challenges, such as getting municipalities to understand the key role they have in providing the conditions for the market to build in a cost-effective way so that the networks reach as many people as possible. But also that we get an updated broadband strategy with the goal of 100% of everyone having access to good broadband - not just 90%, which is the current target. Since market forces are not enough to build infrastructure for everyone in Sweden, tools and better strategies are needed from the government for the last 10 percent.

What is the impact of digitalization on society?

- Digital infrastructure is a prerequisite for society to function, and has concrete points of contact with key societal issues such as health, education and care. As fewer and fewer people have to support more and more people, we need to become more efficient, and without access to a functioning digital infrastructure, this will not work. So it really is a future issue for the whole of society.

Internationally, Sweden is often portrayed as a pioneer when it comes to IT investments, but according to Kajsa Frisell, this is not a law of nature.

- We have been a leader for a long time, but now we have fallen back a few steps. This may of course have to do with the fact that other countries have also accelerated, but there is clearly a lot to be done at the political level to ensure that we remain at the forefront and do not fall behind.

In early February, the winners of this year's awards are presented at the Telecom Gala, Kajsa Frisell is nominated for Female Role Model of the Year because she "has shown strength and clarity in the Swedish telecom market in her new role". The award is presented by the independent newsletter Telekomnyheterna with the aim of highlighting companies and / or people who have benefited the industry during the year.

- I'm really proud of it, it's a confirmation that I'm making a difference," says Kajsa Frisell, who describes herself as "quite connected", among her friends an "early adapter" but among her colleagues perhaps a little more "moderately connected".

- I work with some real technology nerds, but I want one of those activity bracelets for Christmas, says Kajsa and laughs.

Alexandra Hernadi, Communication Strategist, Almega