Each year, we invite Members of the European Parliament to an #MWC deep-dive here in Barcelona. Together with the GSMA, we offer MEPs the chance to get a hands-on experience of cutting-edge technology devices, to learn about the latest trends and innovations in mobile technology and to engage with experts on the field.

We meet with representatives of key players in the sphere of technology to exchange views on how innovation and connectivity can change our lives. This year our tour was packed with many interesting demos, from AI-powered networks solutions, sustainability, 6G to Metaverse, Holograms etc.

MWC Barcelona is the largest and most influential event for the connectivity ecosystem and we look forward to be back again next year.

The past two years have been challenging and unpredictable for us all. The pandemic has pushed us to reinvent ourselves, to fully embrace the digital world in order to continue delivering value to our membership. 

Since then, we have organised over 40 virtual debates, continuing the conversation on the most important topics of the digital policy agenda with MEPs and top-level speakers from the European Commission, CEOs, industry experts and civil society. And #EIFasksMEPs, our first video interview series was born. In 2022, as soon as the covid19 pandemic will allow, we are prepared to welcome you in person at our hybrid and networking events.

Nothing would have been possible without our members' trust and engagement. This video is a tribute to the continuous support that we have received. A story of collective resilience that we wrote together. Because #WEareEIF!

On 18 February 2020, EIF hosted a lunch debate where participants discussed the interplay between encryption, data protection and law enforcement.
The debate was hosted by MEPs Patrick Breyer and Rasmus Andresen and featured the following speakers:
- Maximilian Schubert, President of EuroISPA
- Ceren Ünal, Regional Policy Manager Europe, Internet Society
- Birgitta Jónsdóttir, Internet Archive Fellow, Electronic Frontier Foundation
- Bert Hubert, Founder of PowerDNS
- Cathrin Bauer-Bulst, Acting Head of the Cybercrime Unit, DG HOME, European Commission

On 24 April 2018, MEP Pilar del Castillo and EIF invited MEPs, EIF Members and friends, to exchange views on the impact of Internet of Things on European industries. In this EIFAsks video, MEP Pilar del Castillo, the European Commission Director for the Future Networks Directorate Pearse O'Donohue, Justin Hobbs, from Zebra Technologies and Thomas Walloschke from the Alliance for the Internet of Things Innovation discussed successes and challenges the Union faces in bringing digitalization to Europe’s traditional manufacturing industries.

On 20 March 2018, MEP Pilar del Castillo and EIF invited MEPs, EIF Members and friends, to exchange views on the proposed EU Cyber Security Act, and a much needed global approach. In this EIFAsks video, MEP Angelika Niebler (EP rapporteur on the file), the European Commission Director for Cybersecurity Despina Spanou and Ilias Chantzos from Symantec, confer upon the Commission's initiative to counteract future cyber threats and attacks.

On 5th September 2017, EIF and MEPs Pilar del Castillo & Michal Boni, hosted a debate on cybersecurity. The European Union has recently witnessed major security incidents impacting government systems, critical infrastructures, as well as businesses and other public and private organisations of all sizes across several countries. In this #EIFAsks video, MEPs Pilar del Castillo and Michal Boni, Dr. Hugh Thompson from Symantec and Axel Petri from Deutsche Telekom’s share their views on Europe’s main challenges in the sphere of cybersecurity.

On 23 March 2017, EIF and Carlos Zorrinho MEP hosted a debate to discuss the EU pilot project WIFI4EU and how it could help close the digital divide. In this #EIFAsks video, MEP Zorrinho, representatives of the European Commission, Public Libraries and members of the technological industry discuss all aspects of the WIFI4EU initiative including funding and available technologies to make it happen.

On 8 February, MEPs Axel Voss and Michal Boni hosted a debate to explore as to whether the co-existence of the General Data Protection regulation and a revised e-privacy Directive is feasible or whether it creates unnecessary overlap and legal uncertainty. In this #EIFasks video, policy makers, industry and consumer rights representatives share their views about balancing the privacy/security conundrum.

On 15 June 2016, Angelika Niebler MEP invited Renate Nikolay, Head of the Cabinet of Commissioner Vera Jourova, Daniel Fesler from Baker McKenzie, and John Frank from Microsoft, to discuss what Europe needs to fully enjoy the economic advantages of data enabled transatlantic businesses, while ensuring its citizens right to privacy. In the coming days the European Commission will announce the Privacy Shield deal - an outcome of the negotiations with the US counterpart on data transfers across the Atlantic. EIF asked the panellists does the Privacy Shield as it stands solve Europe’s problem?

On 25 May 2016, Lambert van Nistelrooij, MEP and EIF Steering Committee member, invited representatives from the European Commission, Smart City of Amsterdam and industry to look deeper into the opportunities and issues around this topic. Europe is home to a small number of Smart Cities who have leveraged telecommunications technologies to optimize the way they function, reduce waste & tap whatever efficiencies are to be had from innovatively deploying ICTs. People living and working in Smart Cities not only can enjoy the benefits of convenient living but also innovate and develop new Smart Cities technologies, applicable around the globe. Before the debate started we asked the panel how can Europe take greater social and economic advantage of digital tools and technologies for the organisation of urban space and society? And this is what they had to say...

On 24 May 2016, Pilar del Castillo MEP invited civil society, industry and policy makers to address the importance of trust and cyber-security.An increasing number of cyber attacks makes us worry about our safety online. Consumers trust is crucial for the digital economy to function. EIF seized the opportunity to ask the speakers if we are gaining or losing ground in the race to contain threats to our cyber-security and this is what they had to say...

"Behind every piece of child pornography content online there is a real child suffering from sexual abuse". At the EIF breakfast debate, hosted on 27 April at the European Parliament, Nathalie Griesbeck MEP invited representatives from the Europol's Cybercrime Centre, Missing Children Europe and INHOPE, a network of 51 hotlines in 45 countries worldwide, once again to look into the issue of children safety and raise awareness about this sensitive and important issue. In this video speakers shared their views on how to keep children and youngsters safe in the online world.

On 16 October 2018, EIF hosted a lunch debate on ‘The impact of GDPR on cybersecurity and on the development of the Internet’ chaired by Peter Kouroumbashev MEP and EIF Member.

In this short highlight video, MEP Peter Kouroumbashev, Steve Purser from ENISA, Gregory Mounier of Europol and Ilias Chantzos of Symantec share their views on how GDPR has impacted cybersecurity and the development of the Internet.

On 29 November 2018, EIF had the pleasure to meet Casper Klynge, the world's first Tech Ambassador, in order to exchange views on #techplomacy, future #digital trends and geopolitical #tech trends with a focus on Europe's position.

On 24 September 2019, Pilar del Castillo MEP and EIF invited members to kick off the new parliamentary season by discussing the "Top 10 Digital Trends that will shape Europe's future and demand Political Leadership".

In this short highlight video, MEP del Castillo, Roberto Viola of the European Commission and Jim Cloos from the EU Council share their views on EU's digital policy priorities.

In this video, some of our leading MEPs explain what EIF is invite Members of the European Parliament interested in digital policy topics to join EIF, "one of Brussels' most important fora for debate".