BH Telecom Leading Digital Transformation: Telecommunications at the Heart of European Change
The 71st General Assembly of Connect Europe, held this week in Sarajevo, brought together leading European experts and leaders in the field of digital transformation. Special attention was given to the workshop titled “Changes in Telecommunications: Infrastructure, Innovation, and Industry Transformation”, held at the Mövenpick Hotel, which highlighted the role of BH Telecom as a pioneer of digital development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The workshop was opened by Alessandro Gropelli, CEO of Connect Europe, who emphasized the importance of exchanging experiences among members and the need for joint action to strengthen Europe’s digital competitiveness.
“The most important question before us is how to restart Europe’s economic engine,” Gropelli stated.
The discussion featured Amel Kovačević, CEO of BH Telecom, Tomislav Volarić from the Communications Regulatory Agency (CRA), and Vlatko Drmić, Assistant Minister for Communications and Transport of BiH.
Drmić emphasized that telecom operators and their infrastructure are the “backbone of the digital society,” stressing the need to align national strategies with European standards. Volarić pointed to the importance of developing a national digital strategy and strengthening cooperation with the academic community.
“Without innovation and cooperation, it is difficult to build a digital society. The key challenge remains ensuring universal and fast connectivity,” Volarić stated.
The presentation that attracted the most attention was by Amel Kovačević, who presented BH Telecom’s strategic development directions — from accelerating the construction of optical infrastructure to preparations for the introduction of 5G networks.
“Digital infrastructure is not a luxury – it is the backbone of economic competitiveness and the modernization of public services,” Kovačević emphasized, adding that the company is actively investing in the development of data centers, cloud services, and AI-based solutions.
The CEO of BH Telecom highlighted that BH Telecom is building bridges between the public and private sectors and supports the domestic innovation ecosystem and startup community, with the goal of creating an “inclusive, secure, and high-performance digital ecosystem.”
In the final part of the workshop, Prof. Dr. Paul Timmers, an internationally recognized expert in digital policy and cybersecurity, addressed the participants, speaking about Europe’s strategic autonomy and the role of national operators in strengthening digital resilience.
“National operators are the bedrock of Europe’s digital resilience. Their strategic importance transcends commercial interests; they are custodians of national security, enablers of economic stability, and guarantors of public trust in digital systems. It is imperative that we recognize and empower them to fulfill these roles effectively,” Timmers stressed.
He also highlighted the need for a cohesive policy framework that aligns national strategies with EU-level objectives to strengthen digital sovereignty and resilience. This includes fostering cooperation among operators, regulators, and policymakers to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities in the digital landscape.
Professor Timmers concluded with a call for a unified approach to digital resilience, stating:
“Only through collective action and shared responsibility can we build a digital Europe that is secure, sovereign, and resilient in the face of evolving challenges.”
The workshop confirmed that Bosnia and Herzegovina is increasingly positioning itself on the European digital map, with BH Telecom remaining a key driver of this transformation — a company that not only adapts to changes but actively creates them.
