About the Committee

The Investments & ESG Committee brings together the work of the Council's former Investors, Sustainability and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committees under a single structure, reflecting how closely capital, environmental performance and social responsibility are now linked in digital infrastructure.

The Committee provides a forum for investors, operators and industry experts to examine the financial and non-financial factors shaping fibre and data centre investment across Europe. Its scope spans the investment landscape and financing conditions for network rollout, the environmental footprint and sustainability credentials of fibre infrastructure, and the governance and diversity practices that support a resilient, competitive industry.

By combining these perspectives, the Committee aims to give members a clearer view of how ESG considerations influence investment decisions,  and how the sector can demonstrate its value to the investors, policymakers and stakeholders who rely on that evidence.

This page is new and growing. The Committee's reports, studies, and other resources will be added here as they're published - in the meantime, you can explore the latest assets below.

Panel 13 - Copper Switch Off & FTTH adoption

Across Europe, the transition from legacy copper networks to full fibre is entering a decisive phase. As operators accelerate copper switch-off plans, the focus is shifting to how regulation, market dynamics, and consumer adoption can enable a smooth and effective migration to FTTH.

This panel brings together experts from Cullen International, AGCOM, Telefónica, Openreach, and Deutsche Glasfaser to discuss the regulatory frameworks, operational strategies, and policy tools required to successfully retire copper infrastructure.

Panellists will explore how coordinated switch-off timelines, consumer migration strategies, and supportive regulation can accelerate FTTH adoption while maintaining service continuity. The discussion will also examine lessons from early switch-off initiatives and the role of industry collaboration in ensuring that the transition to fibre delivers long-term benefits for both operators and users.

A strategic conversation on turning copper switch-off into a catalyst for widespread FTTH adoption across Europe.


Speakers:

  • Christof Sommerberg - SVP Public Affairs |atDeutsche Glasfaser Holding GmbH
  • James Lilley - Director, All IP at Openreach
  • Juan Manuel Caro Bernat - Director JVs & Fibre Center of Excellence at Telefonica
  • Marco Benacchio - Head of the office Regulation of markets and networks at AGCOM
  • Moderated by Alessandro Mauro, Senior Analyst at Cullen International