What is a Europe-wide data space good for anyway?
In this episode of Unmute All, we explore one of the European Union’s most ambitious digital infrastructure projects: Simpl. Joining the conversation is Tamás Buglos, Senior Project Manager at Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions, who walks us through the vision, challenges, and opportunities of building a trustworthy, interoperable data-sharing ecosystem across the EU.
A shared language for data in Europe
The Simpl project was born out of the EU’s broader Data Strategy, which recognizes the increasing value of data in driving innovation across public services, healthcare, manufacturing, and more. At its core, Simpl is a modular, open-source platform designed to support the creation and operation of “data spaces” — secure digital environments where organizations can share and consume data according to clearly defined rules.
Tamás explains how Simpl enables both data providers and consumers to connect through standardized, policy-based frameworks. Whether a company wants to monetize its data or simply gain insights through aggregated industry-wide information, Simpl offers the architecture to make that possible while maintaining control and compliance.
Trust, sovereignty, and interoperability
A key advantage of the Simpl framework is its support for data sovereignty: data providers can determine exactly how their data is used, by whom, and under what conditions. Through digital contracts, anonymization tools, and strict policy enforcement, the platform helps organizations share sensitive data without losing ownership or risking unauthorized access.
One standout example is in the automotive sector, where suppliers across the value chain can contribute to a shared data space without exposing competitive or proprietary information. Instead, they receive aggregated analytics that help them make better, faster decisions — a win-win that combines privacy with performance.
Building for scale, in the open
What makes Simpl unique is not just its architecture but its development model. As a publicly funded initiative, all development happens in the open, with contributions and feedback encouraged from a growing European tech community. Tamás shares how Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions plays a leading role in this ecosystem — from software engineering to system integration and DevSecOps implementation — ensuring quality and coordination across a broad consortium.
The platform is already being tested in six data space pilots, including in sectors like healthcare and environmental monitoring. One such example is the Destiny project, which models Earth systems and uses data from satellites (such as the Copernicus program) to support research and real-world applications in tourism and climate science.
Strategic digital independence for Europe
As Tamás points out, Simpl is more than a technical achievement — it’s a strategic move for the EU. By developing infrastructure that adheres to European standards and remains within European jurisdiction, Simpl reduces reliance on global tech giants and promotes a more balanced digital playing field.
The platform also embodies a shift in how open-source can be used at scale — not just by developers, but by governments and industries looking to collaborate on shared digital goals. And because the codebase is public from day one, the hope is that a self-sustaining community will continue evolving the project even after the initial EU funding ends.
Conclusion
This episode offers an inside look at how Simpl is redefining what data sharing can look like in Europe. It’s not just about connectivity — it’s about control, collaboration, and trust. For policymakers, developers, industry leaders, and anyone interested in data governance, this conversation provides a compelling vision of a future where open-source meets strategic sovereignty.
Listen to the full episode to discover how Deutsche Telekom is helping build a secure and scalable foundation for Europe’s digital economy here (in Hungarian): https://www.deutschetelekomitsolutions.hu/podcasts/mire-jo-egy-egesz-eu-t-atero-adatter/