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2024 BCO Network Annual Conference & Public Authorities Group on 5G For Smart Communities

  •   15 October 2024
  •   Breydel Auditorium, Avenue d'Auderghem 45, Brussels

A unique 1-day conference opportunity for in-depth discussions and networking.

The image shows two logos side by side. On the left is the logo of the BCO Network, with the text "BCO Network" written in dark blue. On the right is the logo for the “5GSC – 5G for Smart Communities” initiative, featuring gradient-colored text in shades of blue and purple.

The European Broadband Competence Offices Network Support Facility

The 2024 BCO Network Conference and Fourth Meeting of the Public Authorities Group on 5G for Innovation in Smart Communities (PAG5GSC), exclusively for National and Regional Broadband Competence Offices (BCOs) and CEF National Contact Points, will provide a valuable opportunity to gather key stakeholders from across the EU. Participants will explore synergies between EU policies, discuss rural connectivity, and share experiences related to the implementation of the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA) and other relevant topics.

 

Morning Session (9:00 - 12:30): 2024 BCO Network Conference

The morning session will feature updates on key EU initiatives, including:

  • Synergies of EU policies to support rural areas
  • The state of play of connectivity in the Recovery and Resilience Plans (RRPs)
  • A roundtable discussion on implementing Single Information Points (SIPs) under the Gigabit Infrastructure Act
  • An update on the 3C “Connected Collaborative Computing” Model from the White Paper on Europe’s digital infrastructure needs

 

Afternoon Session (14:00 - 16:00): Fourth Meeting of PAG5GSC

The afternoon session will focus on the latest developments in the CEF Digital Work Programme, with presentations and interactive discussions on:

  • National information days and lessons learned from previous calls
  • Funding opportunities at the national and regional levels for 5G Smart Communities projects
  • Measures to ensure resilience and security of IT infrastructure

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and share insights with representatives from the European Commission, national authorities, and other key stakeholders.

 

Agenda

 

Morning Session - 2024 BCO Network Conference

9:00 – 9:30

Registration and Welcome coffee

9:30 – 9:40

Opening and Welcome

Franco Accordino, Head of Unit, DG CNECT B.5, European Commission

9:40 – 9:50

Synergies of EU policies to support rural areas

Mario Milouchev, Director D - CAP Strategic Plans II, DG AGRI, European Commission

9:50 – 10:00

Connectivity in the RRPs – state of play

Francesco Materia, Policy Officer, Recovery and Resilience Task Force, European Commission

10:00 – 11:20

Roundtable: Implementing GIA Single Information Points

  1. Silvia Ticau and Hannele Lahti from DG CNECT GIA Team to provide a short introduction on timeline and legal obligations for SIPs (5’)
  2. Keynote speech  on data sets, legal basis by Steffen Schmitt and Myro Kerler, BNetzA, German Federal Network Agency (30’)
  3. Presentation by Sami Belhadj, Telecom Attaché, & Sébastien Lacroix, Program Manager, BCO Belgium (30’)
  4. Q&A Session (15’)

Moderation: Jan Dröge, BCO Support Facility

11:20 – 11:45

Coffee break

11:45 – 12:15

Update on the 3C “Connected Collaborative Computing Network” Model from the White Paper 'How to master Europe's digital infrastructure needs'?

BCO Network Support Facility

12:15 – 12:30

Q&A

Moderation: Jan Dröge, BCO Support Facility

12:30 – 14:00

Lunch Break (on site)

 

 

Afternoon Session - Fourth Meeting of the Public Authorities Group on 5G For innovation in Smart Communities

12:30 – 14:00

 Registration and Welcome Lunch
14:00 – 14:10

Welcome and Introduction

Franco Accordino, Head of Unit, DG CNECT B.5
14:10 – 14:50

Status update from the Commission about CEF Digital work programme, related to 5GSC subject

During this session the European Commission will give an update on the latest developments. Delegates will have the opportunity to ask questions and share their own views.

Dan-Mihai Chirila, Policy Officer, DG CNECT B.5

14:50 – 15:50 

Interactive session, feedback from group representatives

Chaired by Franco Accordino, Amalia Elena Lebu, Bernadett Koteles-Degrendele, DG CNECT B.5

During this session, the group representatives will be invited to share their own experiences and insights. The session will be opened by interventions from the members.

1. National information days

When call 3 for 5GSC was open, several Member States organised information days. Under this topic the objective is to share lessons learnt during this process and discuss how these national information days can be best supported.

Presentations followed by discussion with speakers:

  • Zlatina Nikolova, Director, Digital Connectivity Directorate, Ministry of Transport and Communications, BCO Bulgaria
  • George Pantos, Director, Broadband and Electronic Communications Networks at Ministry of Digital Governance, BCO Greece

2. Funding opportunities at national/ regional level and other complementary actions

What are the possibilities to find complementary support at national / regional level for those who wish to implement 5GSC projects? What kind of support shall they expect (if any) from the national or regional level? What are the most efficient ways to support replication and scale-up?

Presentations followed by discussion:

  • “Co-financing of Slovak CEF Digital projects with RRF funds” Rastislav Pavlík, Director of the Digital Infrastructures Department, BCO Slovakia

3. Q&A

15:50 – 16:00

Closing remarks

Franco Accordino, Head of Unit, DG CNECT B.5 & 5G for Smart Communities Support Platform

 

Last update

11 October 2024

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