The 19th FiberWeek Conference Held on the Island of Brač

Experts from HAKOM took an active part in the conference as panellists, moderators, and speakers.

ZAGREB, 8 May 2025 - The 19th edition of the FiberWeek conference was held in the town of Postira on the island of Brač from 6 to 8 May. The event brought together the leading experts, innovators, and visionaries who are shaping the next generation of networks, optical communications, and intelligent technologies.The key topics addressed at this year’s conference included smart and secure broadband networks, cyber security, the energy transition and sustainability, optics and photonics in monitoring, measurement, and security systems, as well as artificial intelligence.

The conference was officially opened by the President of the Council of HAKOM, Tonko Obuljen, who also actively participated in a panel discussion on the topic “Quality of Execution and Certification of Designers, Installers, and Supervising Engineers.” Joining him on the panel were Jasminka Martinović (Croatian Employers' Association - HUP), Marko Turk (Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies), and Dinko Kasumović (A1 Croatia).

Throughout the three-day event, HAKOM’s experts were actively involved, not only participating in panel discussions but also contributing as speakers and moderators.Vesna Gašpar (HAKOM) took part in a panel titled “Cyber Resilience: An Opportunity for Growth and Differentiation” alongside Ivan Šabić (CARNET), Martina Dragičević (A1 Croatia), Saša Jušić (INFIGO IS), and Tamara Hadjina (Končar), where they explored the strategic importance of cyber resilience in today’s digital landscape.

As part of the conference, Mladen Sikirica (HAKOM) moderated a panel discussion on the development of FTTH networks and their contribution to the strategic goals outlined in the Digital Croatia 2032 strategy.The discussion explored the benefits brought by new FTTH infrastructure, particularly how its development supports other priorities of the strategy, such as the advancement of digital public services and the digital transformation of the economy. Challenges in FTTH network development were also addressed, along with the various measures that can be implemented to overcome them. A key topic was the phase-out of the copper network, which can significantly support the expansion of FTTH networks. Panel participants included Brankica Alujević Grgas (Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation), Jasmin Lipović (A1 Croatia), Ognjen Vukoslavović (Croatian Telecom), and Danijela Bistrički Morović (Telemach Croatia).

On the final day of the conference, Ivana Madžar (HAKOM) delivered a presentation titled “Faster Connectivity through EU Support: VHCN Network Deployment Projects.”The presentation provided an overview of the results achieved during the first wave of VHCN network deployment projects co-financed by EU funds, as well as a reflection on the associated challenges and accomplishments. Particular emphasis was placed on the new projects currently being implemented with the support of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), which are scheduled for completion by mid-2026. An overview was also given of the CEF Digital projects submitted under the fourth call, in which Croatian companies are participating either as lead partners or collaborators.