The European Commission has introduced one of its most ambitious reforms for the telecommunications market since the adoption of the European Electronic Communications Code of 2018. The proposal, unveiled on January 21, 2026, is called the Digital Networks Act (DNA) and aims to “modernize, simplify, and harmonize” connectivity standards across the Union to facilitate investments in next-generation fiber and advanced mobile networks, at a time when demand for capacity continues to grow due to the rise of cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence.
The initiative is based on a clear diagnosis: the sector still effectively operates as 27 national markets, with barriers that hinder cross-border growth and complicate pan-European scaling. The declared goal is to strengthen the single market for connectivity, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance the security and resilience of digital infrastructures that are now considered critical for the European economy and society.
A “Framework Regulation” to unify standards and accelerate investments
Unlike other sector reforms, the DNA is designed as a Regulation that is directly applicable, and according to the Commission itself, merges four legal frameworks into a single text. These include the European Electronic Communications Code, the BEREC Regulation, the Radio Spectrum Policy Program, and key parts of the Open Internet Regulation. The dual promise is less regulatory fragmentation and a more predictable playing field for long-term investments.
In this “simplification” approach, Brussels emphasizes that the reform reduces administrative obligations and grants more flexibility in B2B relationships, without diminishing the level of consumer protections already in place in the EU.
Single passport and pan-European satellites: the push to operate “at the EU scale”
One of the most notable elements of the package is the so-called “Single Passport”: a system enabling companies to notify and register in a single member state and, from there, offer services across the rest of the Union. The measure aims to cut redundancies and facilitate genuinely pan-European business models, something large operators have been advocating for years in various forms.
Simultaneously, the Commission proposes promoting pan-European satellite services, with a spectrum authorization framework at the EU level (as opposed to strictly national schemes). The strategic rationale is to reduce dependencies, boost European capabilities, and strengthen the resilience of the connectivity ecosystem.
Spectrum: longer, renewable licenses with an “use it or share it” approach
For mobile, the draft introduces measures to increase regulatory consistency: longer spectrum licenses, with default renewals to improve predictability, and support for spectrum sharing schemes where bands are underutilized. The Commission frames this within an efficiency philosophy: preventing spectrum from “standing idle” and facilitating entry for new players or new uses.
Farewell to copper: national plans and a window for 2030–2035
Another key message is the timetable for transition: the Commission argues that copper networks no longer align with the EU’s technological ambitions and proposes mandatory national plans for phasing out. Member States will need to submit their plans by 2029, with the copper withdrawal and migration to advanced networks scheduled between 2030 and 2035. Brussels assures that the scheme will include safeguards for consumers, providing clear information about outages and mechanisms to ensure service continuity.
Security and resilience: an EU-level plan for crisis and interference management
Additionally, the DNA includes a section focused on resilience. The Commission proposes an EU-level Preparedness Plan to address increasing risks from natural disasters to external interference in networks and radio signals. Regarding governance, the proposal aims to strengthen the role of European regulators: BEREC would remain a key actor with expanded responsibilities, the support office would be renamed Office for Digital Networks (ODN), and the spectrum policy group would evolve into a more influential EU advisory body.
Net neutrality: principle upheld, with a new “lane” for clarifying innovative services
Amid ongoing international debates over traffic prioritization and specialized services, the Commission states that the DNA fully preserves net neutrality, but introduces mechanisms to provide legal clarity for innovative services. It also proposes a voluntary cooperation framework among operators and other ecosystem actors—including application, content, and cloud providers—for issues like IP interconnection and traffic efficiency.
The political and economic discussions remain open. Reuters reports that the proposal avoids imposing binding obligations on big tech companies to fund deployments, favoring voluntary cooperation mechanisms despite industry pressures.
Next steps: legislative negotiation in Parliament and Council
The DNA now begins the usual legislative process in the EU: European Parliament and Council will need to debate the text and agree on its final form. Underlying this process is Brussels’ connection of the proposal to the 2024 Digital Infrastructure White Paper and the broader political drive for a more integrated single market for connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the “single passport” in the Digital Networks Act mean for operators?
The proposal allows an operator to register/notify in a single member state and more easily operate across the rest of the Union, reducing bureaucracy and enabling truly pan-European services.
When is the copper shutdown expected in Europe, and what obligations will countries have?
The Commission proposes mandatory national plans in 2029, with a transition from copper to advanced networks occurring between 2030 and 2035. Safeguards for service continuity and clear user information are included.
What implications does the DNA have for 5G and future 6G in the EU?
The reform aims to boost predictability for investments, with longer, renewable spectrum licenses, greater harmonization, and support for spectrum sharing when bandwidth is underused.
Does the Digital Networks Act threaten net neutrality?
The Commission affirms that net neutrality remains intact, but introduces mechanisms to clarify open internet rules in the context of innovative services and promotes voluntary cooperation on interconnection and traffic efficiency.
via: European Commission