By Maciej Pilipczuk, CEO and president of the management board, Emitel S.A.
The digitalisation of Poland is not merely about applications and e-services. Above all, it is about infrastructure – a nervous-system of sorts that connects the state, local governments, businesses, and citizens. Emitel, owned by the UK-based Cordiant Digital Infrastructure – a company holding digital assets across Europe and North America – has for years been a driving force in this field, supporting the rollout of 5G networks, the construction of data centres, the development of smart city solutions, and the safeguarding of national security systems. Today, Poland faces both a tremendous challenge and a unique opportunity: to harness the potential of digital technologies in order to improve the quality of life and strengthen its position in Europe.
Better quality through digitalisation
The Covid-19 pandemic clearly demonstrated that digital infrastructure is now a strategic resource – on par with energy or transport networks. According to analyses by McKinsey & Company and JP Morgan, digital infrastructure has become the world’s third most valuable class of infrastructure assets. Telecom towers, fibre optics, smart sensors, and data centres are now the new fuel of the global economy, determining the pace of national development and the competitiveness of companies. Within this ecosystem, Emitel acts as the architect of Poland’s digital circulatory system – developing, securing, and maintaining its uninterrupted operation, so that digital transformation is not a slogan but a tangible part of everyday life.
A key reference point for businesses such as Emitel is Poland’s Digitalisation Strategy 2035, published in 2024. It sets out overarching objectives: improving citizens’ quality of life, enhancing economic competitiveness, and strengthening national security. These are the foundations upon which a modern state is built. Digitalisation provides citizens with convenient access to public services, enables businesses to create innovative services and business models, and governments to become more agile and crisis-resilient.
A Formula 1 race
Digitalisation will not occur instantly. It is a process that can be likened to a Formula 1 race. Such infrastructure as towers, data centres, and fibre optics forms the racetrack; technologies including AI, cloud solutions, and data platforms are the racing car; while the professionals implementing them are the racing team. In this race, Poland may still be starting from further down the grid, but it has immense potential for acceleration.
Challenges remain, including regulations, investment costs, complex procedures, and shortages of skilled specialists. Infrastructure is a case in point. Digital transformation cannot succeed without modern networks, yet Poland has struggled with delays – frequency auctions resolved too late, and until recently, nearly half the country was a blank in terms of 5G coverage. Beyond connectivity, digitalisation also encompasses smart solutions for municipalities – from remotely managed street lighting to intelligent water meters and traffic management systems.
The idea of smart cities is no longer a distant vision, but a process unfolding before our eyes. Every new element of infrastructure – whether a telecom tower, a monitoring system, or a broadcast platform – brings us closer to cities that are more liveable, safer, and more sustainable. Emitel S.A. actively supports municipalities in deploying such solutions, which directly translates into better quality of life and convenience for residents, tangible savings, and a stronger, more secure economy.
People as the driving force
Infrastructure and technology, however, represent only half the success story. People and their skills are vital in the digital transformation process – from telecoms and energy engineers to specialists in robotics and cybersecurity. Poland needs thousands of such experts, as well as the general upskilling of its citizens. The reality is stark: around half of Poles currently possess only basic digital skills – and the world will not wait for us to catch up.
Digitalisation cannot remain confined to universities or technology firms. It must be a collective endeavour uniting the state, business, local government, and citizens. Emitel plays its part by creating new jobs for specialists, supporting their professional development, and participating in educational and research projects.
Sovereignty means security
Security is another crucial pillar of digitalisation. Challenges in this area are growing constantly. Increasing volumes of data are processed in real-time, and infrastructure must be resilient both technologically and geopolitically. This makes it essential to develop local, distributed data centres governed by consistent, high-level security standards.
‘Digital sovereignty by design’ is the approach that enables Poland to retain control over technologies, data, and processes. Emitel perceives its role as a partner to both government and business in creating stable, secure foundations of digital independence. For many years, the company has been building resilient communication systems, including reliable transmission services for government warning systems.
The digital era – an opportunity we must seize
The digital transformation is a real pathway for national and societal development. The key lies in combining infrastructure, technology, security, and skills. As a leader in building and maintaining telecommunications infrastructure, Emitel plays an active role in this process – supporting smart city development, ensuring cybersecurity, and strengthening the country’s digital sovereignty. A Digital Poland is not a distant vision. It is a project unfolding here and now – and its success will depend on how swiftly and boldly we embrace the opportunities offered by the digital era.
