The profession briefing service “Europe.Table” and the daily Austrian newspaper “Die Presse” published a guest article of aconnic on the topic of digital sovereignty in Europe: “Made in Europe” is achievable – the time to act is now
“Europe.Table” is a German briefing service based in Berlin that publishes specialists newsletter. “Die Presse” is a national daily newspaper in Austria, based in Vienna.
The guest article by Werner Neubauer (CEO aconnic) says, Europe needs the will to implement digital sovereignty so that we can break free from our dependence on products and services from the US and China. European tech companies such as aconnic are ready to do this.
“Europe.Table”: https://table.media/en/europe/opinion/made-in-europe-is-feasible-and-within-reach
“Die Presse”: https://www.diepresse.com/20628627/made-in-europe-ist-machbar-die-zeit-zum-handeln-ist-jetzt (German only)
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English Translation:
Source: “Die Presse”, February 27, 2026
Guest commentary by Werner Neubauer, CEO aconnic AG
“Made in Europe” is achievable – the time to act is now
Digital sovereignty is not a political vision, but an economic necessity. Europe must break free from its dependence on products and services from the USA and China. European tech companies are ready to do so.
Europe’s digital sovereignty is in a dire state. Europe’s infrastructure for communication, digital networking, and consequently our energy supply, transport routes, and our trade and payment systems are dependent on the goodwill of non-EU countries, primarily China and the USA. This was revealed by a survey conducted by the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) among nearly 4,700 companies. Added to this is the frequently invisible indirect component of the infrastructure, such as fiber optic fixed-line and mobile networks, critical infrastructure for utilities and waste management, the use of artificial intelligence (AI), and the accelerated construction of chip factories and data centers. These factors will determine the future economic prosperity of our continent. Digital sovereignty, defined as the self-determined design and control of digital technologies, is not a political vision, but an economic necessity.
We in Europe must finally stop downplaying this dependency. It’s naive to believe that it’s solely about where data is stored, whether online shops know and analyze our purchasing behavior, or whether social media platforms create profiles about us. In reality, it is about the availability of our infrastructure. While the analysis of personal data primarily serves profit maximization, the availability of infrastructure determines our ability to act and thus our freedom.
Let’s imagine a worst-case scenario: a deliberately engineered failure of inverters for our photovoltaic systems — around 90 percent of which are not manufactured in Europe —prevents the feed-in of electricity to the grid, our mobile and wireless internet networks are reduced to a mere 100 kilobits per second, and the communication systems of our rail infrastructure no longer allow for train control. A dangerous external intervention of this magnitude is not only conceivable but also technically possible.
To progress toward digital sovereignty, we must consistently align our European values with the implementation of European technology and products. In times of nationalist politics, our answer to “Make America Great Again” and “China First” must be: “Made in Europe.” The much-discussed approach of a German or Austrian solution is simply another way of saying: business as usual — we will manage somehow.
Important Initiative by the EU Industry Commissioner
Therefore, the initiative of the French EU Industry Commissioner, Stéphane Séjourné, to give preference to European products in public procurement is not only correct but strategically indispensable. Séjourné’s initiative is supported by over 1,100 companies, CEOs, and trade unions. aconnic, a European network equipment provider, also welcomes the Brussels initiative. At the beginning of March, the EU Commission intends to finally present its “Industrial Accelerator Act” after delays. It is time for Europe to understand that only joint and decisive action can secure our independent future.
Even today, leading European companies deliver innovative products and services of a world-class standard. ASML, manufacturer of semiconductor equipment, Infineon, chip developer and supplier, Siemens, and SAP are just a few of the European global corporations that, together with European SMEs and their innovations, have the potential to shape and secure Europe’s technological and strategic autonomy and sovereignty through political strategy and determination.
Confidence instead of despair
Independence in networks, infrastructure, data, and even AI is possible. At aconnic AG, we have always focused on digital sovereignty. Our gigabit systems for fiber optic networks — hardware, software, network management, and production—are all Made in Europe and mostly Made in Germany. For four years, our engineers have been collaborating with leading universities on network security mechanisms and can already offer solutions for quantum security in communication networks. Our products, whether hardware or software, are transparent throughout the entire supply chain. We therefore understand digital sovereignty as a commitment to resilience, innovation, and independence.
The time to act is urgent. The technological dominance of the United States and China will continue to grow without our intervention. If we want to control our critical infrastructure over the coming decades and preserve our cross-border innovation capabilities, we must refocus on our economic power and shift our focus to “Europe First.” Instead of despair, confidence is called for. Finally, with 450 million inhabitants, we in the EU have the world’s largest free trade zone.
The author: Werner Neubauer (born 1969) is Austrian and has been CEO and shareholder of the publicly listed network equipment provider aconnic AG in Munich since 2012.
