The Mobile Century 2026
CMS is delighted to support The Mobile Century 2026 Edition 'Fast Forward: Shaping the future of Global Connection', a publication written by women in the digital space, published by the Global Telecom Women’s Network (GTWN).
The Mobile Century provides a global perspective on the most important issues facing the digital technology sector, while championing the role and contribution of women leaders in bringing about meaningful change. These characteristics align closely with the professional and cultural values of CMS’ Technology, Media and Communications Practice.
In this fast-paced industry, innovation is key, and so tech and telecoms suppliers, as well as creators and distributors of media, need to protect their investments and maximise their commercial opportunities. Sector convergence coupled with the rapid evolution of new technologies has also opened up a wealth of opportunities in this industry and our clients are well aware of the need to adapt, diversify into new business lines, and often to grow, while all the time complying with new regulatory requirements.
This edition of The Mobile Century resonates strongly with CMS' focus and includes insightful essays on the growing reliance on space technology by Corrin Miller (Lawyer at CMS UK), the divergent approach on quantum safe networks by Sheena Jacob (Partner and Head of the regional Southeast Asian Intellectual Property practice in Asia) and Lisa McClory (Of Counsel at CMS UK) and on legal frameworks shaping the future of autonomous mobility by Sinje Maier and Phillip Bubinger (Counsels at CMS Germany)
To answer these and other questions, we need to work together across disciplines, across industry sectors, and across the public and private sectors. Digital transformation impacts data protection, IT security, contract design, liability and regulation – it is all closely intertwined. New regulations such as the EU AI Act, the EU Data Package (European Data Governance Act and Data Act), the NIS2 Directive, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the Digital Services Act (DSA), are fundamentally changing the regulatory framework governing connectivity and digital services.
At CMS, we continue to be honoured to support the GTWN and its flagship magazine The Mobile Century, which, once again, is dense with thought-provoking articles from inspiring leaders. We hope the articles motivate you, as they do us, to think about our responsibilities and the wider impact of our businesses on the world around us.
The Mobile Century
This year’s theme focuses on connectivity as the defining utility of the modern world, underpinning nearly every aspect of daily life—from basic communication to complex financial systems and advanced technologies. While connectivity is often taken for granted, it relies on continuous investment, innovation, and maintenance by companies to ensure seamless, secure digital access. At the same time, governments increasingly view connectivity as a strategic priority, given its role in economic development, national security, and global influence. However, this growing dependence raises critical challenges, including cybersecurity threats, online safety, digital sovereignty, and the evolving role of infrastructure such as satellites and emerging technologies like quantum computing. The theme highlights how connectivity is not only a technical enabler but also a driver of social inclusion and development, particularly in emerging markets. Across the articles, a common thread emerges: technological advancement will continue to enhance connectivity, but must be balanced with robust legal frameworks and international cooperation to ensure safety and resilience. Ultimately, the key question is how governments, businesses, and individuals can sustain secure, high-quality connectivity while fostering innovation and protecting societal interests in an increasingly interconnected world.
Check out the articles written by CMS experts in The Mobile Century
From GPS to global connectivity: earth’s growing reliance on space technology
This article explores how space-based technology has become a critical yet often invisible infrastructure underpinning modern life, enabling navigation, communications, financial systems, and environmental monitoring. It highlights the growing reliance on satellites and the rapid expansion of the space economy, driven by innovations such as mega-constellations for global internet and emerging concepts like space-based solar power. At the same time, it examines key challenges, including orbital congestion, space debris, and increasing security risks. The article also addresses the limits of existing legal frameworks, which struggle to keep pace with commercialisation and technological advances, leaving gaps in areas such as liability and space traffic management. Ultimately, it emphasises the need for stronger governance, international cooperation, and sustainable practices to ensure that space remains safe, accessible, and beneficial for future generations.
The divergent approaches to quantum safe networks and their impact on the future of telecommunications security
This article examines how the telecommunications sector is facing a growing “quantum threat” to current encryption systems, as advances in quantum computing make existing cryptography increasingly vulnerable. It highlights the shift from a long-term concern to an urgent issue, particularly due to risks like “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks. The piece outlines two competing global strategies: a hardware-based approach, led by the EU and Asia, focused on sovereign, physics-based infrastructure such as quantum key distribution networks, and a software-based approach, led by the US and UK, centred on scalable post-quantum cryptography. It explores the technical, regulatory, and investment challenges these divergent models create for global telecom operators, especially around interoperability and compliance. Ultimately, the article argues that companies must adopt flexible, “crypto-agile” strategies to navigate evolving standards and remain competitive, as the transition to quantum-secure networks becomes a defining challenge for the industry.
From testing to traffic: legal frameworks shaping the future of autonomous mobility
This article explores how the rapid development of autonomous vehicles is transforming both mobility and the legal landscape in Europe. It explains the five levels of driving automation and how increasing autonomy shifts responsibility from drivers to manufacturers. As vehicles move beyond driver assistance to fully autonomous systems, key legal challenges emerge around liability, safety, cybersecurity, and data protection—particularly in determining who is responsible in the event of an accident. The article outlines the multilayered EU and international regulatory framework, including rules on vehicle approval, AI, and product liability, which increasingly treats software as a core component. It highlights that while drivers remain liable at lower automation levels, manufacturers bear greater responsibility as control shifts to the system. Ultimately, the article shows that achieving safe and trusted autonomous mobility requires a strong, evolving legal framework aligned with technological progress.
