Marco Patuano, New Chair of EWIA

The European Wireless Infrastructure Association (EWIA), the leading trade association of wholesale wireless infrastructure providers in Europe, is pleased to announce the appointment of Marco Patuano as the organisation’s new Chairperson with immediate effect. Marco succeeds Tobías Martínez Gimeno who stepped down after concluding his mandate on 31 August 2024 and having successfully led the association for the last four years. “We thank Tobías for his commitment to EWIA’s activities. His expertise and experience were invaluable these last four years as we move into a new era,” said Marco Patuano.

The appointment of EWIA’s new Chair comes at an opportune moment as the new European legislature takes shape and steers the industry towards greater harmonisation of connectivity regulations to foster cross-EU services and expanding networks. This is also in line with Marco’s vision where he states: “Assuming the role of Chair of EWIA is a great honour and responsibility. Together, we will champion connectivity while fostering collaboration and driving sustainable growth across our industry, ensuring a brighter, digital future for Europe.”

Marco Patuano was instated as Cellnex’s CEO in June 2023. He has more than 25 years of experience at TIM (Italy) during which he was Group CEO (2011-2016), Chief Commercial Officer-CCO (2009-2010) and CFO (2008-2009). His career has spanned a number of markets in both Europe and Latin America. He has been in director positions at Autogrill, Atlantia, GSM Association (GSMA), Utenti Pubblicita Associati and WAC Ltd, among others. Marco Patuano holds a master’s degree in finance from Bocconi University in Milan, Italy.

About EWIA

EWIA is the European Wireless Infrastructure Association, the European trade association of independent wholesale wireless infrastructure providers. Our members invest in and operate wireless infrastructure essential to the delivery of mobile voice, wireless broadband, and other wireless networks.

EWIA is a well-established presence in Europe with nine members operating across sixteen European countries who develop, acquire and operate communication towers together with investment in the fiber-connected small cell networks in buildings and on city streets needed for 5G. Together, our members have invested and operate over €100bn of wireless infrastructure assets globally and operate a portfolio of over 195,000 assets in Europe, raising the share of independent wireless infrastructure in Europe to 39%.

EWIA advocates policies that facilitate and encourage network infrastructure investment and deployment with the goal of making advanced wireless broadband available everywhere for consumers, businesses, health care, public safety and the countless other sectors that rely on always-on wireless connections. This includes ensuring better and faster connectivity in rural areas.