Interview with Dr Daniela Brönstrup
Our alumna Dr Daniela Brönstrup studied Economics at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne and has been Vice President of the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) since 2024. In addition to her degree in Economics, she also completed the Cologne School of Journalism and received her doctorate degree from WiSo in 2000 under the supervision of Professor Carl Christian von Weizsäcker. She then embarked on a career in Germany’s political capital, holding various responsible positions in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs for over 25 years, most recently as Head of the Department for Digital and Innovation Policy serving Minister Robert Habeck. In 2024, she was appointed Vice President of the Federal Network Agency in Bonn, where she is now responsible for telecommunications, digital services, postal services and railways. In this role, her key focus is the implementation and enforcement of the legal frameworks for those very legislative initiatives, that she developed and helped to design during her time in Berlin. In her new role, she plays a leading part in shaping key future topics such as the expansion of digital infrastructure, platform regulation and the transformation towards a digital society. In our alumni interview, we spoke to her about her change of perspective when moving from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs to the Federal Network Agency, the future role of the Federal Network Agency in implementating and enforcing the EU AI Act and the biggest challenges and opportunities that this task entails.
There is currently a great deal of uncertainty, particularly surrounding the implementation of the AI Act. We are already addressing this with an AI Service Desk.
Dear Dr Brönstrup, after completing your studies and doctorate at WiSo, your career path took you to Berlin, where you most recently worked as Head of the Department for Digital and Innovation Policy in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs serving Robert Habeck. Which aspect of your time at WiSo helped you the most with your various tasks in political Berlin?
At WiSo, I learned how to work scientifically and to approach economic policy issues in a structured way, as well as how to think incentive-oriented when looking for solutions. My journalism training in Cologne also prepared me perfectly for presenting even complex topics in a concise and understandable way, both in the practical day-to-day work of the ministry and also during my three years in the Office of the Federal President.
You have been Vice President of the Federal Network Agency in Bonn since 2024 and are responsible for telecommunications, digital services, postal services and railways. What is the biggest change in your new role, now that you are responsible for implementing and enforcing the legal framework for those very legislative initiatives that you previously developed and helped to design in the Ministry of Economic Affairs?
The biggest difference is exactly what you describe. While the Federal Network Agency provides support and advice on legislative processes, our primary involvement is in classic executive activities. In other words, we are responsivle for enforcing and implementing laws. This means that our work is more closely aligned with the market. Our decisions have a direct impact on companies and must also stand up in court.
At WiSo, I learned how to work scientifically and to approach economic policy issues in a structured way, as well as how to think incentive-oriented when looking for solutions.
A key focus of your work is digital infrastructure, ranging from the allocation of mobile frequencies to the expansion of fibre optics and the transition to a digital society. You also wish to transform the Federal Network Agency into a digital agency. What role should the Federal Network Agency play in Germany's digital ecosystem in the future? And are there any international role models or best practices that inspire you in your further development?
The Federal Network Agency is to be given a central role in implementing and enforcing the EU AI Act and the Data Act. This will enable us to shape the European single market for trustworthy artificial intelligence and the data economy. We will approach this with the same mindset that we cultivate in the infrastructure sector. By ensuring fair competition, we aim to stimulate innovation and investment. First, however, clarity in the rules is required. There is currently a great deal of uncertainty, particularly surrounding the implementation of the AI Act. We are already addressing this with an AI Service Desk, among other initiatives. Companies can already find lots of important information on our website. By setting up an AI real-life laboratory, we aim to help companies consider transparency requirements during the development of an AI product, thereby facilitating market launch. We already maintain a good working relationship with our Spanish colleagues at AESIA, among others. After all, it is crucial that we establish a robust, unified European single market in these emerging sectors. Incidentally, Europe has achieved this once before, with the introduction of the GSM mobile communications standard.
During your time in Berlin, you negotiated the AI Regulation in Brussels yourself. How are you preparing the Federal Network Agency for new tasks like this? And where do you see the greatest challenges and opportunities in dealing with AI, including for the Federal Network Agency itself?
The Federal Network Agency has been involved in digital markets for some time. For example, it is responsible for enforcing the Net Neutrality Regulation. As a result, there are already several experienced colleagues working on these issues. When it became apparent that the Federal Network Agency would be given a central role in enforcing the AI Regulation, we established a project group. However, if these task are actually assigned to us by law, we will certainly require additional AI and data experts. In view of budget consolidation, this will certainly present us with major challenges.
We recognise significant potential for the use of AI at the Federal Network Agency. We handle large amounts of data ourselves and conduct numerous procedures, some of which are standardised and some or which are highly specific. One process that is both time-consuming and permanently necessary is the redaction of trade and business secrets. In the future, KIPITZ, the federal government's AI system, will support us in this process. By using AI, we aim to free up time for colleagues by relieving them of routine tasks, allowing them to focus on important considerations and evaluations.
The Federal Network Agency's primary responsibility is to promote competition in so-called network markets, which are markets that rely solely on network infrastructure and would therefore become monopolies without state intervention. Where do you see the most pressing tasks over the next five years, and what role can the Federal Network Agency play in addressing them?
In the telecommunications sector, the gradual transition from conventional copper networks to state-of-the-art fibre optic networks is imminent. The aim is to ensure fair competition for expansion and services on fibre optic networks, in other words access to this infrastructure. In January, the Federal Network Agency published the regulatory concept for the copper-to-glass migration process. This document outlines the steps we believe are necessary to achieve a high-performance, affordable fibre-optic network throughout Germany. Our NETZtalk podcast series also explains the topic in a generally understandable way - just listen in!
In the telecommunications sector, the gradual transition from conventional copper networks to state-of-the-art fibre optic networks is imminent. The aim is to ensure fair competition for expansion and services on fibre optic networks, in other words access to this infrastructure.
Finally, could you please complete the following sentence: When I think back to my time as a student in Cologne, I remember...
... the WiSo high-rise and the WiSo corridor - both more beautiful and modern today than back then - and of course Zülpicher Straße.
Is there anything else would you like to share with our current students? Do you have three tips for studying?
Stay curious, develop a tolerance for frustration and gain international experience. Or simply follow Don Bosco's advice: ‘Be happy, do good, and let the sparrows whistle.’
Dr. Brönstrup, thank you very much for your time and for the interview.
Questions by Pascal Tambornino