Telecom Industry Slams Proposed Fees Jeopardizing Digital Infrastructure

Dagens Industri reports that industry leaders are criticizing a new government proposal that could undermine crucial investments in Sweden's digital infrastructure. The proposed cybersecurity law, based on the EU's NIS2 directive, includes special fees specifically for the telecommunications sector to fund supervisory oversight. This approach differs from the 17 other critical sectors covered by the law, which will be funded by state grants. Industry representatives have labeled this differential treatment "remarkable," arguing that it disincentivizes the multi-billion kronor investments necessary for robust networks, 5G, AI, and cybersecurity. These investments are deemed essential for enhancing Sweden's resilience against escalating threats, including cyberattacks and physical sabotage. The proposed fees are perceived as a penalty for companies vital to the nation's economic, public service, and defense capabilities. This debate emerges as companies like Heba Fastighets AB demonstrate the tangible benefits of digital investment. Heba's CEO, Patrik Emanuelsson, highlighted the company's pioneering approach to property management, leveraging digital twins, real-time control, and data analysis. This strategy enables Heba to proactively identify and resolve issues before they impact tenants or operations. The company has established a digital infrastructure that monitors and analyzes buildings, moving beyond traditional reactive maintenance. Key to this innovation are centralized data rooms, three-dimensional digital twins for detailed building tracking, and IoT-enabled machines that signal impending failures, facilitating what Heba terms "smart management."