GROUP DESCRIPTION

The ETIS Digital Telco Strategy Forum is a trusted peer community of senior strategy leaders, transformation executives, and innovation experts from European telecom operators and key industry partners.

The group provides a confidential environment to exchange strategic insights, growth scenarios, and market intelligence on the future direction of the telecom industry. Members collaborate on redefining business models, exploring new market opportunities, enhancing resilience, and driving innovation beyond core connectivity — shaping the long-term strategic roadmap for European telcos.

KEY FOCUS AREAS IN 2025-2026:

• Growth & Market Expansion: We explore strategic opportunities for telcos to enter new markets, diversify service portfolios, and create value in adjacent sectors such as energy, insurance, and digital security.

• Business Model Innovation: Members share and assess emerging revenue models, ecosystem partnerships, and monetization strategies beyond core connectivity.

• 5G & Next-Gen Connectivity: We track commercial and strategic developments in 5G deployment, monetization, and evolution towards future connectivity standards, including network convergence.

• FTTH Strategy & ROI: Discussions focus on investment cases, deployment models, and monetization strategies for fibre networks, with an emphasis on long-term profitability.

• Edge Computing & IoT: We evaluate business opportunities, customer use cases, and competitive positioning for edge services and IoT ecosystems.

• Resilience & Strategic Risk: Members address operational and strategic resilience, including market volatility, competitive disruption, and geopolitical risks affecting European telecoms.

PARTICIPANT PROFILE:

The group welcomes professionals with operational or strategic responsibilities for telecom strategy, market development, and business transformation within telecom organizations and key industry vendors. Typical roles include:

• C-level executives (CEO, CTO, CIO, CDO, CSO, etc.)
• C-level -1 executives and Senior Vice Presidents
• Directors in Strategy, Network, IT, and Innovation functions
• Strategy and transformation leaders across corporate functions

HOW WE WORK:

• 2 In-Person Meetings per Year: Held every May/June during the ETIS Annual Gathering and in October, these are full two-day events providing deep-dive discussions, presentations, and networking in a closed, trusted environment.
  
  
• 6–8 Online Activities per Year: Targeted webinars, roundtables, and virtual knowledge exchanges throughout the year, depending on member demand.
  
  • Peer-Led Knowledge Exchanges: Members share current projects, successes, and lessons learned through presentations, roundtables, and open discussions.
    
    
  • Expert Sessions: Invited specialists offer insights on emerging trends, tools, and methodologies shaping telecom strategy and growth.
    
    
  • Benchmarks & Surveys: Group-wide surveys collect comparative data to identify trends, challenges, and best practices across operators.

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:

Includes leading European telecom operators, technology partners, and industry stakeholders engaged in strategic transformation.

(Full member list available on request or via ETIS member portal.)

GROUP COORDINATOR:

The Digital Telco Strategy Forum is coordinated by Wim De Meyer and Ayush Pandey, who facilitate all activities, support member engagement, and ensure smooth collaboration across the group.

For any questions or to learn more about how to get involved, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Working Group confidentiality rules can be accessed here

Display map with group members