Open hearing on IT infrastructure and effective competition

Yesterday, the Transport Committee held an open hearing on Sweden's IT infrastructure - today and in the future - in the first chamber of the Swedish Parliament. It was an interesting morning: among other things, our incoming Federal Director David Mothander, still at Google, gave us a preview of what future consumers will want, and Anne-Marie Eklund Löwinder of the Internet Foundation of Sweden shed light on the issue from a user perspective. We also heard about the role of municipalities and the responsibility of the public sector, the mission and goals of PTS, and the importance of IT infrastructure and broadband for innovation and sustainable development.

I was invited to talk - and answer questions - about the promotion of effective competition in the market, and its importance for achieving the government's new ambitious goals. I did so, and also took the opportunity to clarify what I believe is required for a fully connected Sweden. The short summary of my message:

If Sweden is to meet its ambitious broadband targets and enable as many people as possible to connect to a future-proof digital infrastructure and gain access to affordable digital services, it is crucial that many players invest, cooperate and compete. Effective competition requires that multiple actors can invest and operate in the market on good and equal terms. Then we will have a development with innovation, good prices and great freedom of choice for consumers!

If you want to see and hear what I or any of the other speakers said in more detail, the full seminar is available below: