In an unpredictable world, Europeans know connectivity is a necessity – POLITICO

As the European Parliament and the European Commission star new telecom policy discussions, Connect Europe’s latest consumer survey with IPSOS, Europe’s Digital Pulse: Connectivity Trends and Consumer Insights, is particularly poignant. Our survey underscores a shared sentiment among European citizens and businesses alike: connectivity is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. This finding reveals profound implications for Europe’s digital strategy and provides insights that should resonate with policymakers, industry leaders and European citizens as they consider the future of Europe’s digital infrastructure.   

Connectivity as a basic need: Meeting a fundamental demand    

In our hyper-connected society, European consumers increasingly perceive connectivity as fundamental. An overwhelming 85% of Europeans identify connectivity as a basic need, while more than 60% of small businesses see technologies like 5G and fiber-optic networks as critical elements to enable growth. This aligns with recent high-level recommendations, including those put forward by Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi, and reinforces the case for the EU to take decisive action toward ubiquitous, high-quality digital networks.