Roberto Viola

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

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.

Throughout his career, Viola has been instrumental in shaping EU digital and telecommunications policy. 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.

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.

Personal life Viola's native language is Italian, but he also speaks English, Spanish and Dutch.