Tag Archive for: Board

A Week of Collaboration and Insights: EuroISPA’s Recent Activities

Brussels, February 1st-2nd, 2024

EuroISPA’s office has been buzzing with activity over the past week. From internal meetings to engaging discussions with members and industry stakeholders, the association has been actively shaping its strategy and addressing crucial issues in the dynamic landscape of the EU Internet industry.

EuroISPA Industry Forum Meeting

For the first time in 2024, EuroISPA held its Industry Forum meeting, where representatives from our Forum companies gathered to provide advisory insights to the Council Members. The agenda delved into pressing policy matters, focusing on the upcoming legislative cycle and plans leading up to the EU elections. The collaborative atmosphere fostered discussions that will play a pivotal role in shaping the work of the association for 2024.


Executive Board Meeting

In the afternoon, the EuroISPA Executive Board met to set the tone for 2024. Officers and the Secretariat discussed the engagement strategy for the EU elections, outlined focus topics, addressed membership trends, and laid the groundwork for the organisation’s initiatives in the coming months.


Meeting on Piracy of Live Content with European Commission and EUIPO

The following day, EuroISPA hosted a meeting with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the European Commission on the topic of piracy of live content. Members and representatives from other industry organisations, with whom EuroISPA regularly collaborates, also participated to the comprehensive discussion. The meeting saw the European Commission presenting the proposed Recommendation on piracy of live content and focused on the published KPIs, the data collection templates and the next steps of the monitoring exercise of the Recommendation. EuroISPA is a leading stakeholder on the matter, and the meeting marked a step forward in the longstanding collaboration with the Commission and the EUIPO, which it actively provides with the technical input from its Members.


ISPA Belgium’s New Year event

To round off the week, EuroISPA Executive Board Officers attended ISPA Belgium‘s New Year event. This provided an excellent opportunity to connect with Belgian figures actively involved in digital policy. The evening included a panel discussion on telecommunications and digital policy in the EU, with a focus on the role of Belgium. The exchange of ideas and insights during this event contributed to consolidate EuroISPA’s relationship with our member ISPA Belgium and to provide a broader understanding of regional challenges and opportunities, especially in light of the ongoing Belgian Presidency of the EU Council.


EuroISPA is committed to collaboration and informed policymaking. As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the EU Internet industry, these engagements serve as a testament to its dedication to fostering a thriving digital ecosystem in Europe.

EuroISPA is committed to collaboration and informed policymaking. As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the EU Internet industry, these engagements serve as a testament to its dedication to fostering a thriving digital ecosystem in Europe.

EuroISPA elects new Board Officers: new leadership and November General Meeting highlights

Brussels, 4 December 2023EuroISPA, the pan-European association of Internet Services Providers (ISPs) associations, elects new Board Members during the General Meeting held on November 30th and December 1st, 2023, in Brussels.

EuroISPA members gathered in Brussels for their last General Meeting of 2023, which saw the election of new members of the Board. Lars Steffen, Head of International, Digital Infrastructures & Resilience at eco – Association of the Internet Industry, was unanimously elected Vice-President, while Romain Bonenfant, Managing Director at FFTélécoms, was appointed Board Member. They join President Elina Ussa (FiCom) and Treasurer Alex De Joode (AMS-IX) who are already one year into their mandate, in leading the Association’s work until the end of 2024.

Lars Steffen, newly elected Vice-President, stated: “I recognise the crucial role that EuroISPA plays in shaping policy and advocating for the interests of Internet Service Providers across Europe. Several current issues in the European Internet landscape are increasingly being handled at infrastructure level, placing EuroISPA in a favorable position to share the experience and expertise of its members to EU discussions. As Vice-President of EuroISPA, I intend to intensify member engagement and strengthen our links with the wider industry, raising EuroISPAs voice even higher”.

Romain Bonenfant, newly appointed Board Member, said: “EuroISPA actively contributes to interactions with EU institutions both directly and through its members. I am deeply convinced that the EU level is the right level to influence the digital landscape we all work and live in, and I hope to positively contribute to the important work of EuroISPA with my new role as Board Member”.

The final General Meeting of 2023, which was held the day after EuroISPA’s 25th Anniversary Event, gathered members in person at EuroISPA’s office in Brussels. The two-day programme consisted of committee meetings, Association updates and strategy discussions for the year ahead, in addition to the election of new Board Officers. EuroISPA also welcomed contributions from guest speakers from the European Commission and the ALDE Party, who spoke on the future of connectivity, the upcoming GDPR review, and the run up to the 2024 European elections.

Elina Ussa, who recently took up her role as President, said: “We are delighted to welcome Lars Steffen and Romain Bonenfant to the Board of EuroISPA, especially at such a crucial moment with the European elections coming up. The Board can count on two more expert and dedicated people to lead the Association into 2024, and to contribute to the ambitious goals that we put forward in our Manifesto”.

EuroISPA is committed to fostering the growth of an innovative and fair European Internet ecosystem, encouraging the continued development of a free and open telecommunications market, as highlighted in the recently published Manifesto. The work of the Association in 2024 will focus on collaborating with EU policymakers to achieve a fully functioning internal market, a long-term vision on privacy online, a harmonised European strategy for cybersecurity, and legislative coherence for digital infrastructure.

PRESS RELEASE: EuroISPA elects new Officers during November General Meeting

Brussels, 28 November 2022 – EuroISPA announces the appointment of new Officers following an election held during the General Meeting on November 24th and 25th in Brussels.

EuroISPA is the world’s largest association of Internet Services Providers Associations, representing over 3,300 Internet Services Providers (ISPs) across the EU and EFTA countries. After two years of dedicated work, two of the former Officers have stepped down. New Officers have been elected following a vote by the EuroISPA members; Alex de Joode and Elina Ussa will share the Presidency mandate, serving one year each, Michel Combot will join as Vice-President, and Thomas Bihlmayer is to continue as Treasurer.

Alex de Joode, stated: “I would personally, and on behalf of the Board, like to thank Alexandra Lafitte for her guidance and leadership of EuroISPA in engaging with the EU and international institutions. A heartfelt thank you also goes to Innocenzo Genna, for his strong contributions to the organisation and its impact on policy issues including data protection, cybersecurity, and intermediary liability.”

Elina Ussa, who will take up her role as President at the end of 2023, said: “It is estimated that up to 80 per cent of the legislation in the field originates from the EU. It is important to be closely involved in influencing various legislative projects as early as possible. EuroISPA’s excellent lobbying is wide-ranging. It’s great to get the opportunity to be in its core, and to bring expertise from Finland, the Europe’s leading country in digital development.”

Taking up his role as Vice-President, Michel Combot said: “Our industry and our ecosystem are at the heart of the daily lives of businesses and our fellow citizens. While the very nature of the Internet is sometimes called into question, EuroISPA carries the voice of ISPs in Europe, gathers all stakeholders, and provides a forum for cooperation amongst its members.” Thomas Bihlmayer, continuing as Treasurer, stated: “I’m very proud and grateful to have been re-elected for a second term as EuroISPA Board member. During its 25 years, the Association has been an important voice for the Internet industry and I’m looking forward to continuing this active participation. Technology continuously develops, and with it new challenges arise.”

The final General Meeting of 2022 gathered members in person at EuroISPA’s office in Brussels. The two-day programme Committee meetings, general administration and updates about the Association, as well as the election of the new Officers. EuroISPA welcomed contributions by guest speakers, including representatives from the European Commission and the Swedish Permanent Representation to the EU.

Former EuroISPA President Alexandra Laffitte said: “After serving for four exciting years as a member of EuroISPA’s Officers, I am thrilled to welcome the new Officers: Alex de Joode, Elina Ussa, Michel Combot, and Thomas Bihlmayer. This renewed Board of Officers will bring an exciting new perspective to the association, and I wish them all the best as EuroISPA continues to engage on crucial issues for our society, such as digital rights or encryption. I would like to thank everyone involved in EuroISPA for their trust, cooperation and guidance over the last years, and their ongoing contributions this organisation.” Vice-President Innocenzo Genna, who is stepping down after 16 years on the Board,  stated: “It was a long journey serving EuroISPA as an Officer in a multitude of relevant policy and governance matters. I remain committed to the Association and to supporting its activities going forward, and thank my fellow members for your support over the years.”

De Joode concluded: “We believe that a diversity of Board members will bring fresh energy to the Association. The renewed board brings new expertise to EuroISPA from different domestic legal cultures and experiences, as well as management experience, as two of the new board members run two member associations themselves. In order to retain some continuity, Thomas Bihlmayer stays on as Treasurer and I pick up the role as President after a two year hiatus. I’m looking forward to engage with the EU on various policy dossiers as President, but also in my capacity of Chair of the Safer Internet Committee to ensure there is an effective CSAM regulation that builds towards an open and free internet in Europe.”

Press Release: EuroISPA Announces Election of New Board

Brussels, 23 November 2020EuroISPA, the association of European Internet Services Providers, announces the appointment of it new board members, following an election during the latest General Meeting. The newly elected President, Alexandra Laffitte, was previously on the board as Treasurer and Vice-President; Innocenzo Genna takes on the role of Vice-President once more; whilst Thomas Bihlmayer joins the EuroISPA board as Treasurer in his first mandate. As members from FFTélécoms (France), AIIP (Italy), and eco (Germany), respectively, the new EuroISPA board reflects the multinational nature of the association.

Alexandra Laffitte (FFTélécoms) stated, “I am delighted to have been elected President of EuroISPA, and I look forward to continuing the work the association has achieved in the past years, and to building upon the work of the previous presidencies. This nomination is very humbling, and I would very much like to thank EuroISPA’s membership and extend my gratitude to Maximilian Schubert for having been an outstanding, forward-thinking President for the past two years. My time on the EuroISPA board over the past two years has given me great insight into the valuable work the association does. I am excited to continue to push forward EuroISPA’s programme and priorities in the context of policy issues like the Digital Services Act.”

Innocenzo Genna (AIIP) said, “It is a great pleasure to once more be part of the EuroISPA board. In the past years we have focused on the key policy topics that impact our industry and our members, and I look forward to contributing to this actively. While new European rules are expected to address the issues arising from the rise of digital markets and the conflicts with traditional industries, it is of utmost importance that the Internet remains an open space where innovators can launch and develop new services and business models beyond the limitations of legacy technologies and national borders; EuroISPA is in the interesting position of helping ensure this can happen.”

Thomas Bihlmayer (eco) added, “EuroISPA has a strong position in enabling its members from across the continent to be represented vis-á-vis EU policy makers, and I am happy and extremely honoured to have been elected as the association’s Treasurer. It will be an exciting challenge to help this association grow and expand, whilst working towards its goals and priorities. I look forward to further shaping the role and influence of EuroISPA with the new board, and thank the members for their trust in me to do so.”

As a pan-European association, EuroISPA represents over 2,300 ISPs across the European continent. The association advocates for the needs of the wider internet industry at EU level on specific policy issues, working to make sure that industry priorities are highlighted to external stakeholders. The board is elected every two years, and ensures the governance and daily running of the association, as well as ensuring the positioning of EuroISPA on key policy topics.