Jacob Bolin new chairman of Telekområdet

Jacob Bolin, who works in public affairs at Com Hem, was elected chairman of the Telecoms Council just before Christmas. Here he answers some questions about why he is involved in Telekområdet.

You are the newly elected President of the Telecoms Area. What does this position mean for you?

I will lead the work of the Telecoms Area with the aim of continuing to create the best possible conditions for the telecoms industry to build networks and offer telecoms services. The members' activities are a fundamental prerequisite for more people to be connected, more to be digitized and ultimately for Sweden as a nation to become more competitive.

In many cases we are competitors, but it is also very important that we unite around and with a common voice drive the issues where we have a shared interest. To make progress with digitization and broadband expansion, collaboration between different actors is needed. The telecom sector has an important role to play here, and I very much look forward to bringing the industry together to increase knowledge and discuss the challenges we see in this area.

What do you do on a daily basis, and why is Com Hem involved in the Telek area?

I am Head of Public Affairs at Com Hem and am thus responsible for everything from regulatory issues to driving and defending Com Hem's interests in the public debate. Com Hem sees the telecom area as an important platform for creating good contact areas and as an important tool for being involved in driving the issues that we have in common with the industry in general.

What issues are at the top of the telecoms agenda right now?

There are many current issues! We have a brand new broadband strategy that the government presented before Christmas with the goal that all of Sweden will be connected by 2025. It is a very ambitious goal that is warmly welcomed. But there are still many challenges associated with this that we need to explore further.

It also goes without saying that data retention will be a theme in the coming period in light of the European Court of Justice's preliminary ruling where the Swedish rules, like the Data Retention Directive, were found to be in conflict with fundamental rights and freedoms.

Another issue that the industry must deal with is how we can address customers' lack of confidence in telecom companies. If there is no change there, I see a great risk of more regulation, which rarely ends well.