The European Commission’s technology commissioner, Henna Virkkunen, has toured Ericsson’s Stockholm HQ as part of a fact-finding mission in her brief to address Europe’s digital competitiveness
The May 30 visit was part of information gathering by the commissioner, which is expected to inform pending updates to European Union Digital Networks Act, expected to be presented before the end of 2025.
Ericsson has been among the most active large companies in Europe in highlighting the consequences of failing to act on the challenges facing the region’s technology innovators and leaders unless action is taken at national and EU levels.
EC Commissioner Henna Virkkunen with the Ericsson 5G Robotic Dog at the Ericsson Imagine Studio, Kista, Stockholm.
Commissioner Virkkunen was among the attendees at a related January 2025 event for industry leaders and policymakers in Brussels, organized by connectivity leaders Ericsson and Nokia, and supported by European technology leaders SAP and AMSL
Ericsson welcomed the recognition of the technology challenges by policymakers at the event. The issues were discussed again at a private meeting during the Ericsson visit, as well as network connectivity security and mission critical network capabilities.
Commissioner Virkkunen – whose full title is European Commission Executive Vice-President, Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy – was welcomed and hosted at the Ericsson Imagine Studio in Kista, North of Stockholm, by Patrick Johansson, Ericsson’s Head of Market Area Europe, Middle East and Africa. Ericsson CTO, Erik Ekudden, also attended.
Commissioner Virkkunen described her visit to Ericsson, and other engagements in the Swedish capital, as a mission to Stockholm to promote technology and AI.
EC Commissioner Henna Virkkunen spots a copy of an old family telephone during a tour of the Ericsson HQ Imagine Studio in Kista, Stockholm.
During the meeting, Ericsson leaders welcomed the Commission’s February 11, 2025 announcement of the withdrawal of the European Commission proposal for a Regulation on Standard Essential Patents (SEP). The announcement was made as part of the Work Programme for 2025, called: Moving forward together – A Bolder, Simpler, Faster Union.
Ericsson leaders said such regulation would undermine the goals as set out in the EC Competitiveness Compass, such as leadership in standardization of connectivity technologies and AI, as well as making it difficult for European innovators and technology leaders to invest in R&D. They said withdrawing the SEP proposal is aligned with Europe’s commitment to enhance competitiveness and foster an innovation-friendly regulatory environment.
Patrick Johansson, Henna Virkkunen and Erik Ekudden listen to a presentation by Ericsson expert Jon Gamble.
Ericsson leaders also highlighted the need for the full implementation of the EU 5G Toolbox to deliver a harmonized and comprehensive approach to 5G security across the EU. They said that inconsistent application of the 5G Toolbox continues to create uncertainty in the industry, threatening revenues and undermining trust in Europe’s networks.
Patrick Johansson says: “It was an honor to welcome the commissioner and demonstrate how and why European companies like Ericsson are leading their technology areas on the world stage. Commissioner Virkkunen spent a substantial amount of time touring our latest product, solution and demonstration exhibits, asking detailed questions about capabilities, digital potential and differentiating factors.”
He adds: “We also had a lengthy and cordial private meeting with Commissioner Virkkunen. We thanked the commissioner for the positive response to our previous engagements, including our Brussels event in January. We also again highlighted Ericsson’s concerns about the threats to wider European technology and innovation unless speedy EU and national government action is taken. Connectivity is the backbone of a scalable, intelligent, and cohesive tech ecosystem.”
Patrick Johansson and Erik Ekudden discus Ericsson founder Lars Magnus Ericsson, and the early days of the company, with EC Commissioner Henna Virkkunen at Ericsson’s Imagine Studio in Kista, Stockholm.
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