EU supports digital connectivity with simpler and harmonised rules in Digital Networks Act

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

The European Commission proposed the Digital Networks Act (DNA) to modernise, simplify and harmonise EU rules on connectivity networks. The current rules must be updated to create the conditions for operators to invest into rolling out advanced fibre and mobile networks. High-capacity networks enable innovative tech, like Artificial Intelligence and Cloud. The widespread availability of advanced connectivity for people and businesses across the EU is the foundation of Europe’s competitiveness.

Strengthening the single market for connectivity

The proposal aims at creating an effective EU single market by harmonising rules and facilitating cross-border business to incentivise operators to scale up, grow and innovate. To enable this, the Digital Networks Act proposal aims to:

• facilitate companies to provide services across the EU while having to register in only one Member State;

• incentivise the creation of pan-European satellite communication services by establishing an EU-level, as opposed to national level, spectrum authorisation framework;
• increase regulatory consistency in national spectrum authorisation, by giving operators longer spectrum licences and by making licences renewable by default to increase predictability;
• ensure that all available spectrum is being used by making spectrum sharing among operators more common (‘use it or share it’); and
• introduce a voluntary cooperation mechanism between connectivity providers and other players, such as content application and cloud providers.

Transition to advanced connectivity networks

Legacy copper networks do not fit the ambition of making innovative technologies widely available across the EU. The DNA introduces mandatory national transition plans to ensure the phase out of copper networks and the transition to advanced networks between 2030 and 2035. Member States must present their national plans in 2029. The process is accompanied by safeguards to protect all consumers, such as providing clear and timely information about switch-offs and ensuring service continuity.

Simplification and investment

The Digital Networks Act modernises the regulatory framework, reducing administrative burden and reporting obligations, so companies can focus their resources on investment and innovation. The DNA also allows more flexibility for business-to-business relations, while keeping a high level of consumer protection.

Secure and resilient connectivity

The DNA enhances network security and resilience by limiting dependencies in the connectivity ecosystem and promoting EU-level cooperation. The proposal introduces an EU-level Preparedness plan to tackle the rising risks of crises including natural disasters and foreign interference in networks. In addition, the common mechanism for selecting pan-EU satellite communications will incorporate criteria focused on security and resilience.

Protecting net neutrality in innovative services

The DNA fully keeps the principles of net neutrality. It introduces a mechanism to clarify Open Internet rules for innovative services to increase legal certainty and a voluntary ecosystem cooperation mechanism on IP interconnection, traffic efficiency, and other emerging areas. 

Next steps

The proposal will be presented to the European Parliament and the Council for approval.

Background

The DNA proposal will replace the 2018 EU Electronic Communications Code.

In February 2024, the Commission’s White Paper “How to master Europe’s digital infrastructure needs?” aimed to explore scenarios and gather insights to shape policy actions for the Union’s digital infrastructure sector.

In her 2025 State of the Union Address, President von der Leyen stressed advancing the Single Market for connectivity by 2028 and encouraged investment in transformative technologies.

For more information

Digital Networks Act – web page

Factsheet

Questions and answers