Emilio Gallo, President of Telefónica Spain, confirmed today that the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of the telecom networks deployed in Spain. The manager noted that his company already covers 27 million homes with fiber optics and that 98% of the population has a 4G mobile network.
In his speech on the first day of the Digitales Summit, Galeo emphasized that the high-speed broadband networks deployed in Spain represent a competitive advantage over other countries.
Gayo accepted PPP models, considering them essential. In his opinion, public administrations should maintain their commitments in providing funds for access to regional areas where investment is unprofitable, as well as in improving bureaucratic procedures. “It is necessary to remove administrative obstacles that slow the spread of networks,” the executive said.
Noting that operators are committed to maintaining all infrastructure, the President of Telefónica Spain noted that his company maintains its commitment to closing the copper network in 2024. “Telefónica will be a 100% fiber company in 2025,” he said.
Among the new technologies, Gayo highlighted artificial intelligence, which will help in self-diagnostics of the networks themselves, the Internet of Things and the 5G mobile phone. In this case, the CEO emphasized that with 5G, the industry will be able to face an unprecedented transformation.
Gayo recalled Telefónica’s commitment to entrepreneurship and investment in start-ups with divisions such as Wayra and Telefónica Ventures. “It would be impossible to innovate as we need to without our ecosystem of startups,” he said.
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