The European Central Bank (ECB) has selected two network service provider groups and signed agreements to supply connectivity for the digital euro pilot and potential issuance. They will connect participating payment service providers and national central banks to the digital euro service platform and enable communication between its components. The selection supports preparations for the pilot, previously scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027. The first contract, with a temporary grouping of Nexi Payments S.p.A and Deutsche Telekom Business Solutions GmbH, took effect on Sept. 28, 2026, initially covering the pilot’s connectivity needs. The second contract is with a temporary grouping comprising Telefónica de España, S.A.U., Telefónica Global Solutions, S.L.U. and Indra Soluciones Tecnologías de la Información, S.L.U. It will start in May 2027. Both providers will be ready from 2029 to deliver connectivity for potential digital euro issuance, subject to the ECB Governing Council’s decision on the project’s next phase. All payment service providers offering the digital euro will be able to connect through either provider. The agreements allow the ECB to adjust the services requested as needs evolve during the pilot and any subsequent phases.
ECB selects two network service provider groups for digital euro pilot and potential issuance
The European Central Bank (ECB) has selected two provider groups to connect payment service providers and national central banks to the digital euro platform. The first contract took effect on Sept. 28, 2026, initially supporting the pilot, while the second starts in May 2027. Both groups will be ready from 2029 for potential issuance, subject to a Governing Council decision on the next phase, with payment service providers able to choose either provider.