Roberto Viola (civil servant)

Roberto Viola (born 1958) is a European civil servant from Italy.[1]

Since 2015, he has been the Director General of Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG Connect), the European Commission department responsible for developing policies and funding programs that support digital technologies and online services across Europe.[2]

Education

From 1978 to 1983, Viola studied at the Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, earning a doctorate in electronic engineering and graduating cum laude. From 1993 and 1996 he attended the Open University in the UK, graduating with a Master's degree in Business Administration.[3]

Career

After completing his doctorate, Viola worked briefly in telecommunications. He joined the European Space Agency in 1985, where he led telecommunications and satellite broadcasting services. In 199, he moved to Italy’s telecoms and media regulator, AGCOM, serving as Technical Director and then Secretary-General.[1][3]

From 2010 to 2013 he chaired the European Radio Spectrum Policy Group and was a member of BEREC and the European Regulatory Group. He joined the European Commission’s DG CONNECT in 2012, rising from Deputy Director-General to Director-General in 2015.[1][4]

Throughout his career, Viola has been instrumental in shaping EU digital and telecommunications policy.[2] In 2025, he upset colleagues by dictating a set of office rules, including a requirement for juniors to wear a suit, not use laptops and speak only when spoken to at meetings.[5]

Awards

In 1983, Viola was awarded the Marconi prize for the best Italian doctoral thesis in telecommunications. In 1999, Viola was awarded the European Space Agency's inventor medal.[3]

Personal life

Viola's native language is Italian, but he also speaks English, Spanish and Dutch.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "European Commission biography". European Commission. European Commission. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  2. 1 2 "The Italian who runs European tech". Politico. Politico. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Roberto Viola: CV". Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  4. ↑ "Commission recruits Italian regulator". Politico. Politico. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  5. ↑ "Put on a tie and get off your laptop, EU's top tech officials told". Politico. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
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