* Given the geopolitical relevance of home-grown digital capabilities, both in terms of connectivity infrastructure and services, and the need to revitalise European competitiveness, the Digital Networks Act (DNA) should be a legislative priority in the new EU 2024-2029 cycle. The European Commission´s White Paper is a crucial first step, but
Following the debate at the
European society cannot afford for the Council of 21 May to be just another exercise in analysing the situation and expressing general wishes. In order to respond to the needs of the EU and of each of its Member States, the Council of 21 May must give an executive and concrete impetus to a Digital Network Act that really gives
An accurate diagnosis in the White Paper
In the White Paper, the Commission has made a precise diagnosis of the present and future situation in
The outcome of the White Paper is both a major challenge and a major concern in terms of economic security and strategic autonomy. The White Paper is a crucial step towards a more secure and prosperous European digital future.
The telecoms sector as a lever for European Single Market
In the same vein as the White Paper, the report presented by
In this context, it is essential to establish a sound regulatory framework that fosters innovation and competitiveness in the digital communications sector. In pursuit of this objective, a well-focused Digital Networks Act becomes even more relevant to make the European telecommunications sector a lever for progress towards the achievement of the European single market.
A new essential instrument to face the challenges of the sector: DNA
The telecommunications sector is facing major challenges in terms of market structures and regulatory paradigms. The new regulatory instrument proposed by the
The Digital Networks Act must serve as the means to achieve the necessary solutions that the sector and the European digital society needs. Among these solutions, the law should allow operators the necessary freedom to reach the appropriate scale that the size and characteristics of each national market require to enable the necessary profitability in each Member State, so that they can then consider the opportunity to extend their reach to other European member states. In other words, where necessary, accept first in-market consolidation and then cross-border consolidation within the Single Market. It should also review spectrum policies to encourage the deployment of new networks, it should adopt a deregulatory approach taking as its starting point the competitiveness of telecommunications markets and, in those circumstances, the non-necessity of applying ex-ante regulation, and it should ensure a level playing field between all companies present in the different segments of the digital value chain.
Given the geopolitical relevance of digital leadership and the urgency of revitalising European competitiveness, the Digital Networks Act (DNA) should be a legislative priority of the new EU 2024-2029 cycle.
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