The European Commission has introduced the Digital Networks Act, a sweeping legislative proposal designed to overhaul Europe’s connectivity framework and prepare the bloc for a new era of high-capacity digital infrastructure.
The initiative seeks to modernise and harmonise existing rules, creating the right conditions for telecoms operators to invest in next-generation fibre and mobile networks across the European Union.
At the heart of the Digital Networks Act is the recognition that advanced connectivity is no longer optional. High-performance networks are the backbone of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data-driven services.
Ensuring that citizens and businesses across all Member States can access these capabilities is seen as essential to strengthening Europe’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, explained: “European innovation starts with a truly connected Europe.
“High-performance resilient digital infrastructure is essential in strengthening Europe’s leadership in innovation, competitiveness and digital sovereignty.
“Advanced and accessible connectivity will allow start-ups to harness the potential of AI, enable doctors to care for patients remotely, quickly and safely.
“Our goal is a digital environment where new technologies are readily available, affordable, and grounded in fair, trustworthy rules that benefit people.”
Building a true single market for connectivity
One of the central goals of the Digital Networks Act is to deepen the EU single market for digital connectivity.
Today, fragmented national rules can make it costly and complex for operators to expand beyond their home countries. The Commission’s proposal addresses this by streamlining regulatory requirements and reducing barriers to cross-border operations.
Under the new framework, companies would be able to offer services across the EU while registering in just one Member State, significantly simplifying expansion.
The Digital Networks Act also aims to support the development of pan-European satellite communication services by moving spectrum authorisation from a national to an EU-level approach. This shift is intended to encourage scale, innovation and greater consistency across the bloc.
Regulatory predictability is another key focus. Longer spectrum licences, coupled with automatic renewals as a default option, are designed to give operators greater confidence to make long-term investments.
The proposal also promotes more efficient use of spectrum by encouraging sharing arrangements when frequencies are underutilised.
Accelerating the shift to advanced networks
The Digital Networks Act acknowledges that legacy copper networks are no longer fit for purpose in a digital-first economy.
To address this, the proposal introduces mandatory national transition plans that will guide the gradual switch-off of copper infrastructure and the move to advanced fibre and mobile networks between 2030 and 2035.
Member States will be required to submit their transition strategies by 2029. These plans must balance innovation with consumer protection, ensuring that users are informed well in advance of network changes and that service continuity is maintained throughout the transition period.
Encouraging investment through simplification
Another pillar of the Digital Networks Act is regulatory simplification. By cutting back on administrative and reporting obligations, the Commission aims to free up resources that operators can redirect towards network deployment and innovation.
The updated framework also provides greater flexibility in business-to-business arrangements, while maintaining strong safeguards for consumers.
This streamlined approach is intended to make Europe a more attractive environment for digital investment at a time when global competition for capital is intensifying.
Security, resilience and open internet principles
In response to growing concerns about cyber threats, natural disasters and geopolitical risks, the Digital Networks Act places a strong emphasis on secure and resilient connectivity.
It introduces an EU-level preparedness plan to improve coordination during crises and reduce dependencies within the connectivity ecosystem. Security and resilience criteria will also play a role in selecting pan-European satellite communication solutions.
Crucially, the proposal reaffirms the EU’s commitment to net neutrality. The Digital Networks Act preserves open internet principles while providing greater legal clarity for innovative services.
A voluntary cooperation mechanism is also envisaged to improve efficiency in areas such as traffic management and IP interconnection.
The Digital Networks Act will now be debated by the European Parliament and the Council, setting the stage for a landmark reform that could redefine how Europe connects, competes and innovates in the digital age.
