Carlos López Blanco

Who Is Carlos López Blanco?

Carlos López Blanco is an expert in the digital economy and telecommunications market regulation. His outstanding career includes key roles in both the public and private sectors, establishing him as an influential figure in digitalization and economic regulation. He was General Director of Public Affairs and Regulation at Telefónica until 2018, and currently serves as president of the Digitalization Commission of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and a board member of Telefónica Argentina. His focus is on promoting balanced, ethical digital development that supports economic and societal evolution in the digital transformation era.

What is his Background?

Carlos López Blanco’s career spans both public service and business. He began as a state attorney in the Basque Country and in the ministries of Education, Justice, Economy, and Finance from 1984 to 1989. Later, he joined Construcciones Aeronáuticas S.A. (CASA), part of the AIRBUS consortium, as Secretary of the Board and Legal Counsel, followed by a role as Head of Legal Services at IBM Spain. From 1995 to 2001, he was Secretary General of Airtel, later Vodafone Spain, and from 2002 to 2004, he served as Spain’s Secretary of State for Telecommunications and the Information Society.

In 2007, López Blanco joined Telefónica as Director of the International Office, and in 2012 was named Global Director of Public and Corporate Affairs, overseeing regulatory and institutional relations, corporate social responsibility, and sponsorships as part of Telefónica’s Executive Committee. With this robust experience in strategic sectors and a deep understanding of the digital economy, López Blanco has become a key figure in analyzing digital transformation and its regulatory implications.