Pioneering the Future of Global Digital Connectivity in Lisbon

Held at the historic Pátio da Galé in Lisbon, this groundbreaking event brings together visionary leaders from around the globe to explore the future of digital infrastructure and connectivity across the Atlantic. In partnership with Altice Wholesale Solutions, Atlas Edge, CAMTEL, EllaLink, and Interfiber, the event kicked off with networking sessions before launching into a full day of panel discussions and presentations, all aimed at uniting key players in the digital ecosystem.

The Atlantic Convergence is the first conference of its kind, dedicated to connecting innovators, technologists, and digital infrastructure architects from both sides of the Atlantic. It serves as a platform for exploring new opportunities for cooperation and developing resilient, secure, and scalable digital networks. The topics on the table are as vast as the Atlantic itself—ranging from improving pan-Atlantic connectivity to exploring the future of undersea and space infrastructure that powers our increasingly digital world. DE-CIX further highlighted these conversations by releasing a pivotal study, “The Iberian Peninsula: A Next-Generation Regional Mega Hub,” underscoring Portugal’s growing prominence in this landscape.

Throughout the event, the discussions have emphasized the critical need for a cross-border initiative focused on building a resilient geospatial ecosystem. From submarine cable security to addressing sovereignty issues and even leveraging LEO satellites, the urgency to build future-proof infrastructure has never been clearer. The speakers, all industry titans, have repeatedly stressed the importance of reducing latency, improving connectivity, and developing new data corridors across the Atlantic, including connections to Latin America and Africa.

Attendees are being treated to unique insights from world-leading experts. These are not lessons you can find in books or online courses but real-time knowledge from professionals at the cutting edge of the industry. The atmosphere here feels almost akin to the spirit of exploration that defined the Portuguese explorers centuries ago. We're not just hearing about business opportunities; we're sitting with key stakeholders, discussing strategies to shape the future of digital connectivity.

One of the most compelling aspects of the conference is Portugal’s role in the global digital infrastructure. Home to 20 submarine cables and boasting one of Europe’s highest fiber-optic penetration rates, Portugal is the natural “Gateway to the World.” Lisbon itself, with its three Internet Exchanges and nearly a hundred connected networks, is a vibrant convergence point for Europe, Africa, and the Americas. This is not just a conference about technology; it’s a platform for collaboration among businesses, governments, and innovators who are driving the demand for data and connectivity across the Atlantic.

The European Union’s significant investments, including the €300 billion Africa-Europe Investment Package and the EurAfrica Gateway Cable, were also discussed as game-changers for digital sovereignty and global connectivity. But beyond the infrastructure, it’s the Iberian Peninsula’s renewable energy potential, rich talent pool, and openness to the world that are powering this vision forward.

As the Atlantic Convergence continues, it is clear that this is the place to be for anyone looking to shape the future of digital connectivity. Stay tuned for more insights from the event as we continue exploring the exciting developments in this fast-growing industry.

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.

Paulo Lopes