In a keynote, Granryd noted operators in North America are expected to spend more than $380 billion on mobile networks in the coming years, adding “we should look to support this however we can”. Approving consolidation efforts would bolster such investments while maintaining market competition, he said.

The comments came as operators T-Mobile US and Sprint continued a battle for approval of a proposed merger despite opposition from state officials. The pair successfully overcame the objections of two opponents, however 16 attorney generals remain party to a lawsuit aiming to block the deal.

Granryd also pressed regulators to level the playing field between operators and internet companies by implementing equivalent rules for all digital services, and called for harmonised international privacy and data protection laws.

He reiterated the need for regulators to offer more spectrum to operators at a reasonable cost, noting “it is only the mobile industry that can deliver” the connectivity needed to enable new use cases and economic opportunities.

“Our message to governments worldwide has been simple: don’t get short-term greedy and kill the long-term golden goose.”