ABOUT

Afke is the Regional Lead and Vice President Europe, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) for the GSMA. The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with over 350 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences.

Afke is responsible for all Public Policy advocacy activities, Strategic Engagement and Technology Programmes (Digital Identity, Internet of Things, Future Networks, Regulatory Modernisation and Spectrum) of the GSMA in the wider European region. Afke is also the Vice-Chair of the Alliance of Europeans Telecoms and Automotive (EATA). The main goal is to promote the wider deployment of Connected and Automated Driving in Europe. The Alliance includes almost 40 companies, including telecom operators, vendors, automobile manufacturers and suppliers for both trucks and cars.

Before joining the GSMA, Afke led Microsoft’s EU Institutional Relations Team in Brussels, responsible for Microsoft’s engagement with the EU Institutions, Council of Europe, the OECD and the World Economic Forum (WEF). Prior to this, Afke served as a Member of Parliament in the Netherlands and was the spokesperson for Economic Affairs and Innovation, Technology and ICT for the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Previously, she was responsible for KPN's policy interests and governmental affairs in Europe.
She is a current board member of idate.org, the E-Society Platform, “Onvergetelijk Leven” (specialist day care for elderly people) and has been a board member of ECP-EPN, platform for public-private cooperation in the information society and a board member of the European Internet Foundation (EIF).
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