EWIA Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Launch of New Manifesto: “Tower Companies Boosting Europe’s Connectivity and Competitiveness”
BRUSSELS, 9 April 2025 – The European Wireless Infrastructure Association (EWIA) today celebrates its 10th anniversary with the release of a comprehensive manifesto highlighting the critical role that tower companies play in advancing Europe’s digital transformation and enhancing its competitive position in the global economy.
Since its founding in 2015, EWIA has grown to represent 11 tower companies operating 251,000 wireless infrastructure assets across 20 European countries. These TowerCos have invested nearly €50 billion to support Europe’s connectivity development and ambitions, with projected economic savings of €31 billion across Europe between 2019 and 2029.
“As we mark EWIA’s first decade, we’re proud of the transformative impact our members have had on Europe’s digital landscape,” said Marco Patuano, Chairman of EWIA. “The neutral host tower model has proven its value in accelerating connectivity, reducing costs, and minimising environmental impact. Looking ahead to the next decade, our members need an investment-friendly environment to maximise their contribution to Europe’s digital transition and competitiveness. We are committed to working hand in hand with policymakers and the private sector to this end.”
The manifesto also highlights the qualitative benefits that passive infrastructure sharing brings to Europe’s economy and society: improved coverage, quality, competition and innovation; and environment benefits since the open, neutral and sharing-driven TowerCo model is projected to result in 109,000 fewer towers being built by 2030, avoiding almost 4 million tons of CO2 emissions – equivalent to taking 200,000 cars off the road each year.
Looking ahead, EWIA calls on European policymakers to create conditions that encourage continued investment in wireless infrastructure, including long-term regulatory certainty, streamlined permitting procedures, security of existing contracts, prioritisation of commercial negotiations, protection from opportunistic behaviors regarding land access, and support for 5G connectivity along major transport routes.
Find out more about the EWIA 10th Anniversary event here.
Download the EWIA Manifesto here
