Digital highways are the backbone of a modern economy and society. The EU is fast becoming a knowledge driven economy. Many items other than humans will be connected to the Internet. The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for a high performance connectivity infrastructure. Commercial, private and public users need to be able to rely on secure and robust services that are protected against cyber and geopolitical threats (data control).

A secure European telecom and space infrastructure covering the whole territory is an indispensable tool for a more inclusive, competitive digital economy,further integrating the European space sector into the larger digital sector. At the same time such an infrastructure will strengthen the independent and sovereign role of Europe in a global world.

This paper addresses the challenges, risks and opportunities involved. It identifies the gaps and service needs for setting up such a critical European infrastructure.