My conference at ICF 2021 Conference at Marple Ridge and Langley, British Columbia - Canada. Digital infrastructures are key not only to survive a crisis but to fuel recovery and prosperity COVID crisis confirms the strongness of ICF methodology

1. Tackling Crisis and Disparity –
Integral to Economic Progress
Good and Bad actions
Agustin Argelich
Principal Consultant Argelich Networks
ICF International Jury
IX Paralympic Games Barcelona’92 Technology Director
@aargelich

2. Spain’s economy shrank
11% in 2020, in biggest
drop since Civil War
▪ The contribution of tourism reached 154,487 million euros
in 2019, representing 12.4% of GDP.
▪ The branches concerning tourism generated 2.72 million
jobs, 12.9% of the total employment.
▪ 40% of young people unemployment rate

4. The future of Spain is based in how the country is going
to manage the Next-Generation EU Funds.
More than 50% of the amount will support modernization
Research and innovation, via Horizon Europe
Fair climate and digital transitions, via the Just
Transition Fund and the Digital Europe Program
Preparedness, recovery and resilience, via the
Recovery and Resilience Facility, rescEU and a new
health program, EU4Health
Modernizing traditional policies such as cohesion
and the common agricultural policy, to maximize
their contribution to the Union's priorities
Fighting climate change, with 30% of the EU funds,
the highest share ever of the European budget
Biodiversity protection and gender equality

5. Only 10 countries in the world have already achieved 95% fiber coverage (“Passed”)
Spain: Leader In Fiber Optic To Homes In Europe
Success Key factors
• Low cost of deployment
• Good regulation: MARCO: Any carrier can use tubes and
poles from old cupper networks. Avoiding overbuilding
• Small local companies
• Government subsidiaries : PEBA
Note: Passed (available) in not the same than used (subscribed)
• Remote work
• E-health – Telemediciene
• e-learning
Critical applications
Fiber networks are the nervous system of the country
Key for the future and key to survive crisis
5% means 4M homes without fiber in
Spain low density rural areas

6. Europe View on Broadband Infrastructure
Promoting enhanced customer experience through neutral open access networks
Carefully selected Open Access Network situations across Europe with specific criteria
Operation Layers
Vertically
Integrated
Passive Sharing Active Sharing Complete Sharing
Retail Services
Vertically Integrated
Operators
Vertical Service
Providers
Retail Service
Provider
Retail Service
Provider
Active Layer Vertical
Infrastructure
Provider
Network Operator
Passive Layer
Infrastructure
Owner
Infrastructure
Owner
Evolution from infrastructure competition to Services Competition through Open
Access
Specialized ISPs
focussing on their
core service
business allow
neutral infra
operators deliver
their key
competence. This
creates predictable
cash flows and
enhances customer
experience.
Where Ultra Fast
Broadband infrastructure
is non existent and
overbuild risk is very low
In Rural or Semi Rural
areas with residents who
has enough purchasing
power
Where a clear potential to
critical size through
further roll out exists
Where there is a
diversified demand for an
open access broadband
infrastructure
▪ We believe following factors are important to ensure the success for an Open Access Network (“OAN”)
Over Build Risk Demographics Path to Critical Size
Diversified Demand for
an OAN
Neutral Open Access Network (“OAN”)

7. A bridge between the rural and the future
Galicia Rede Aberta
Neutral Rural Open Access Network Neutral serving 400.000 homes in Northwest Spain
60M € investment
www.redeaberta.gal

8. Not a good idea Elections in Pandemic

9. The results
Lower participation than ever
Fear and demotivation

10. You choose your attitude

13. Is the car our enemy?

14. Mediterranean creativity in pandemic times
Is pandemic time the right momentum
to apply such changes?
What about citizens’ opinions?
What about Modernism legacy?

15. Is there no other solution for the lack of green areas?

16. Idelfonso Cerda original urban plan

17. Back to basic
Back to original Idelfonso Cerda urban plan
https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/eixample/e
s/el-distrito-y-sus-barrios/la-dreta-de-
leixample/interiores-de-manzana

18. 21
Conclusions – Take away
COVID crisis confirms the strongness of ICF
methodology
How Taiwan managed the crisis is the best example
Digital infrastructures are key not only to survive
a crisis but to fuel recovery and prosperity
In time of desolation never to make a change
(St Ignatius of Loyola Funder of Jesuits)
Leadership and good governance is the greatest challenge

19. 21
Contact Info
Thank You
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need further information.
I am here to talk with you. We wish to collaborate with you soon
aac@argelich.com
@aargelich
(+34) 934151235
Agustin Argelich
agustin.argelich
www.argelich.com
www.agustinargelich.com
www.sctcconsultants.org
www.intelligentcommunity.org
www.linkedin.com/in/agustinargelich
Digital Technologies International
Consultant
Leadership & Innovation professor
Author & Speaker

20. Agustin Argelich
Digital Technologies International Consultant
Leadership & Innovation professor
Author & Speaker
Member Think Tank Intelligent Community Forum
aac@argelich.com
www.argelich.com
@aargelich
www.agustinargelich.com
About Me
▪ Born in Barcelona in 1963.
▪ Telecom Engineer by Ramon Llull University (Barcelona)
▪ Professor of leadership at Ingenio School (Lleida University).
▪ Spanish Air Force Lieutenant.
▪ Author of Analyze, Act, Advance, a book about how to build a virtuous cycle of
hope, innovation, renewal, and continuous improvement.
▪ Principal consultant of Argelich Networks, an independent digital technology and
management consultancy boutique.
▪ For +30 years, I have been leading significant digital technology projects for
business and for public entities. Expert in Unified Communications and
Collaboration
▪ Technological Director of the IX Paralympic Games Barcelona’92
▪ Member of the Society of Communications Technologies Consultants
International. I served as board member for 8 years, 7 as Chairman International
Affairs Committee and 2 as Vice President.
▪ Member Think Tank Intelligent Community Forum and of its international jury
awarding Intelligent Community of the year.
▪ Past member Digital economy committee Circulo de Economia.
▪ Before Olympics, I worked as Telecom Manager in Asco Nuclear Power Plant
▪ I am active member of significant professional and civil society associations.
▪ Married with Mª Eugenia for 30 years, we are parents of 2 daughters and 4 sons.
www.sctcconsultants.org
www.intelligentcommunity.org