EU says not taking sides as Big Tech 'fair share' debate dominates mobile meet

Workers walk past a billboard of GSMA's 2023 ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, February 25, 2023. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

BARCELONA (Reuters) -EU industry chief Thierry Breton on Monday said he was not taking sides in a clash between Big Tech and European telecoms operators over who should fund the rollout of 5G and broadband as the world's largest telecoms conference opened in Barcelona.

Speaking at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), Breton defended a 12-week consultation launched last week which could require Big Tech to shoulder more of the costs.