The European Commission has unveiled the Digital Networks Act (DNA), a major legislative proposal designed to modernise and harmonise the EU’s rules on digital connectivity.
The initiative aims to unlock investment in next-generation fibre and mobile networks—critical infrastructure for technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and advanced digital services.
At its core, the proposal recognises that Europe’s competitiveness depends on fast, reliable and widely available connectivity for both citizens and businesses. Existing rules, many of which date back years, are no longer fit for purpose in a market that increasingly demands high-capacity, cross-border networks.
Building a genuine single market for connectivity
One of the Digital Networks Act’s main goals is to strengthen the EU single market by cutting fragmentation between national rules. The Commission wants to make it easier for telecoms operators to scale up and operate across borders, encouraging innovation and pan-European services.
Under the proposal, companies would be able to provide connectivity services across the EU while registering in just one Member State, reducing administrative hurdles. The Act also seeks to foster pan-European satellite communication services by shifting spectrum authorisation from national to EU level.
To give operators more certainty and confidence to invest, the Commission proposes longer spectrum licences that are renewable by default. At the same time, it wants to ensure scarce spectrum resources are fully used by promoting spectrum sharing under a “use it or share it” principle.
The DNA also introduces a voluntary cooperation mechanism between connectivity providers and other digital players, such as content, application and cloud service providers, to improve efficiency and innovation across the digital ecosystem.
Phasing out copper and moving to advanced networks
The Commission makes clear that legacy copper networks can no longer support Europe’s digital ambitions. The Digital Networks Act therefore introduces mandatory national transition plans to phase out copper infrastructure and move fully to advanced networks between 2030 and 2035.
Member States will be required to submit their transition plans by 2029. To protect consumers, the process will include safeguards such as clear and timely communication about network switch-offs and guarantees of service continuity during the transition.
Cutting red tape and stimulating investment
A central promise of the DNA is simplification. By streamlining reporting requirements and reducing administrative burdens, the Commission wants operators to focus more resources on investment and innovation.
The proposal also gives companies greater flexibility in business-to-business arrangements, while maintaining strong consumer protection rules. According to the Commission, this balance is essential to attract capital without weakening user rights.
Stronger security and resilience
Security and resilience are another key pillar of the Digital Networks Act. The proposal aims to reduce strategic dependencies within the connectivity ecosystem and strengthen cooperation at EU level.
It introduces an EU-wide Preparedness Plan to respond to growing risks, including natural disasters and foreign interference in communication networks. Security and resilience criteria will also be embedded in the selection of pan-European satellite communication systems.
Net neutrality remains protected
Despite the push for innovation, the Commission stresses that the DNA fully preserves the EU’s net neutrality principles. The Act introduces a mechanism to clarify how Open Internet rules apply to new and innovative services, offering greater legal certainty without undermining equal access to the internet.
In addition, a voluntary cooperation framework will address issues such as IP interconnection, traffic efficiency and other emerging technical challenges.
What happens next
The Digital Networks Act will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council, which will debate and decide on its adoption.
Once approved, the DNA will replace the 2018 EU Electronic Communications Code, marking a significant overhaul of Europe’s connectivity rulebook.
Broader policy context
The proposal builds on the Commission’s February 2024 White Paper, “How to master Europe’s digital infrastructure needs?”, which explored future scenarios for the EU’s digital infrastructure sector.
It also reflects the political direction set out by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her 2025 State of the Union address, where she called for completing the Single Market for connectivity by 2028 and stepping up investment in transformative digital technologies. Photo by jeferrb, Wikimedia commons.