Loading... please wait

The Future of Transatlantic Digital Cooperation | Mainstage

Programming Sponsor:

att horizontal e1635272484580 - The Future of Transatlantic Digital Cooperation | Mainstage

Media partner:

politico logo red - The Future of Transatlantic Digital Cooperation | Mainstage

Speakers:
Ryan Heath, Senior Editor, POLITICO
Juan Carlos Flores, Vice President for International External and Regulatory Affairs, UK, Middle East, and North Africa, AT&T

The new era requires digital rules of the road that promote competition, consumer protections, and a robust supply chain. It’s important, said Juan Carlos Flores, Vice President for International External and Regulatory Affairs, UK, Middle East, and North Africa at AT&T, for democracies to lead the conversations.

Pushed by Ryan Heath, Senior Editor at POLITICO, to look at regulation, Flores expressed his hope that the U.S. takes an “all-of-the-above” approach by enlisting the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Congress, and ideas from Europe. Rather than deferring to states, there needs to be a free flow between borders and national privacy laws. AT&T understands, he continued, about the importance of innovation and cybersecurity. 5G, for example, delivers a network as strong at its edges as at its core, which has the potential to transform the digital economy. At the same time, securing networks and competitive knowledge remains crucial. 

Heath asked whether the COVID-19 pandemic uncovered any benefits for AT&T. Flores expressed his pride in employees who remained connected and coordinated through technology and who continued to work on AT&T’s charitable endeavors.

Cooperation means different things to different people.

Ryan Heath

Having a robust debate about the applicability of the laws and what needs to be contemplated, it needs to be a strong and fierce debate…that’s how you get to a good decision-making process.

Juan Carlos Flores

Key takeaways & next steps:

  • Given the global nature of the digital economy, there must be wide, cross-country agreements about the rules and regulations governing it.
  • As access to networks widens, security remains important.