One Communications in Major Finnish Media with MEP Aura Salla: Discussing Digital Sovereignty
“If Microsoft were to exit the European market, the public sector would cease to function. That is a dangerous dependency, and one we must urgently work to break free from," warns MEP Aura Salla. One Communications CEO Mika Ahokas is ready with an answer: "American software companies hold a sovereign position in our digital world and in software. Being Finnish or European is not enough on its own. You also need to be genuinely innovative and competitive."
Meet #One: the European solution bringing calls, messaging, and video conferencing under one secure roof.
One Communications’ CEO Mika Ahokas appeared alongside MEP Aura Salla (EPP) on a widely watched MTV3 programme to discuss the urgency and future of Europe's digital security of supply.
Ahokas was asked, as the CEO of Finland's leading communications software company, what he thinks about the position of American tech giants in Europe and how European society should relate to them.
"American software companies hold a sovereign position in our digital world and in software."
– Mika Ahokas
"It is telling that approximately twenty of the world's largest software companies are based in the United States, with only one exception being the German ERP systems developer SAP."
Ahokas thinks the world is increasingly polarised. In the automotive industry, for example, individual consumers can – within the limits of their values and budget – choose a product that suits their needs. “There are many options: Germany's Volkswagen, Tesla, and Asian alternatives such as Toyota,“ Ahokas said.
In the software industry, the situation is very different. The solutions widely used and thus far accepted across Europe – Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Teams, Zoom – are all American.
“In the context of businesses and public sector organisations, data security is an important concern. But should the average citizen who uses American software products and services be worried,” the interviewer asked.
According to MEP Salla, there is reason for concern when examining the business models of American and Chinese platforms, but she places greater emphasis on European public administrations' dependence on players such as Microsoft.
"If Microsoft were to exit the European market, for example, the public sector would cease to function. That is a dangerous dependency, and one we must urgently work to break free from," Salla said.
“What would a transition away from American software companies look like? What should it begin with,” the interviewer asked.
“Such a change requires Europe to genuinely favour European solutions, with security as the guiding principle,” Salla said.
Ahokas was then asked what One Communications, as a Finnish and European solution, does differently – and how it challenges Zoom and Teams.
"The solution is called #One. We compete with Teams and Zoom, and you can think of us as a European Teams. We prioritise data security, our European identity, and our Finnish roots. Our data centers and server rooms are located in Finland."
"However, being Finnish or European is not enough on its own. You also need to be genuinely innovative and competitive, and capable of serving customers with quality and substance," Ahokas continued.
"#One brings together all forms of communication: phone calls, instant messaging, and video conference calls."
“#One gives users a single, secure place to store their files. With Microsoft's or Apple's services, data ends up across various clouds, making it difficult to know where your data resides.”
– Mika Ahokas
“What kind of responses have you received on these topics,” the pair were asked.
According to Salla, Finland's public sector has woken up to the need to choose European solutions and to do so as quickly as possible.
"People ask me what the EU can do. The EU can ensure that when European technology is chosen, those companies scale and innovate more effectively. I also believe the private sector will adopt European solutions."
Ahokas shared that France's decision to steer public sector users away from Teams and Zoom has sparked interest in the Finnish market.
"Our user numbers have exploded, and we are receiving an enormous number of enquiries. People are asking whether we have a European solution – and we truly do."
“#One will remain under Finnish ownership both now and in the future,” Ahokas confirmed.
Get to know #One better: https://dreambroker.com/products/one/overview/
One Communications is part of Dream Broker, a Finnish and European communications software company whose products are #One and Studio.
