The European Commission says its proposed Digital Networks Act (DNA) would simplify EU connectivity rules and encourage investment. CCIA Europe warns that a dispute-resolution mechanism in the proposal could open the door to network-usage fees and give large telecom operators more leverage over online services. That is a contested prediction, not an established finding: the DNA is still a legislative proposal, and its final wording may change.
What is the EU Digital Networks Act?
The Digital Networks Act is a European Commission proposal for a regulation that would replace the EU Electronic Communications Code and harmonise rules for communications networks and services. The Commission published it on 21 January 2026 as legislative file COM(2026) 16. It covers authorisation, cross-border services, spectrum and numbering, fibre transition and access, resilience, universal service, open internet, end-user rights, and regulatory governance and enforcement.
The proposal also includes a “Single Passport” intended to make it easier for providers to offer services across EU countries under a more consistent framework. ITPro’s 2026 report describes provisions for one-country registration for EU-wide services, more consistent and generally renewable spectrum licences, a “use it or share it” approach to spectrum, and national copper-transition plans. Those are proposed rules, not obligations already in force.
Why does the Commission support the proposal?
The Commission presents the DNA as a way to reduce fragmentation among 27 national systems, help providers operate across borders, and support investment in fibre and mobile networks. Its stated aims include more integrated markets, secure and resilient infrastructure, wider access to gigabit networks, innovation, affordable communications, and consumer protection.
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The proposal’s explanatory memorandum connects connectivity investment to the Commission’s objective of universal gigabit broadband and 5G in populated areas by 2030. It also argues that reliable networks support services such as AI, cloud computing, e-government and digital health, as well as digital inclusion. These are policy goals and the Commission’s case for the legislation, not results guaranteed by its adoption.
What trade groups say could go wrong
CCIA Europe’s concern about conciliation and network fees
CCIA Europe objected to the proposal on 21 January 2026, focusing on its voluntary conciliation procedure for disputes involving connectivity providers and content, application or cloud providers. CCIA argues that later amendments or national-regulator decisions could make the process binding in practice, allowing dominant telecom operators to seek payments from popular online services. It says this could undermine net neutrality and create new disputes.
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CCIA Europe Senior Policy Manager for Connectivity and Competition Maria Teresa Stecher called the procedure “not a ‘voluntary conciliation’ procedure, but one that will create new disputes.” She said the mechanism was “clearly opening the door to network usage fees.” These are CCIA’s interpretation and forecast; they do not establish that the Commission proposal expressly imposes a fee or that such a fee will be adopted.
Concerns about which services fall within the rules
CCIA also says ambiguous wording could expose content-delivery networks (CDNs), cloud computing services and private networks to telecom-style obligations. Its concern is that providers with different functions and business models could face rules designed for traditional network operators. The practical scope will depend on the final legal language and how regulators apply it.
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GSMA’s reported concerns about complexity
ITPro’s 2026 coverage attributes additional criticism to GSMA, including concern that the framework could add sector-specific rules, administrative bodies and reporting duties, while retaining elements derived from the ePrivacy Directive. That characterization is reported criticism, not a neutral description of the proposal’s effects.
What might change for each part of the internet ecosystem?
| Group | What the proposal provides or aims to do | What critics say to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Telecom and connectivity providers | The Commission aims to harmonise rules, make cross-border operation easier, and support fibre and mobile investment. The proposal includes spectrum and authorisation provisions and a voluntary cooperation mechanism. | CCIA says the conciliation process could improve dominant operators’ bargaining position and create a route toward network-usage fees. |
| Cloud providers, CDNs and content or application providers | The proposal’s cooperation mechanism involves connectivity providers, content/application providers and cloud providers, according to ITPro’s report. | CCIA warns that ambiguous definitions could extend telecom-style obligations to cloud services, CDNs and private networks. |
| Consumers | The Commission cites affordable communications, consumer protection and wider gigabit access among its objectives. | CCIA argues that network fees could threaten net neutrality and harm consumers or innovative services. The proposal’s actual consumer effects are not yet established. |
| National regulators and governments | The proposal seeks more consistent EU rules and includes governance and enforcement provisions. ITPro reports national copper-transition planning and a role for regulators in the cooperation mechanism. | Critics warn that new processes, reporting requirements or administrative bodies could add complexity rather than reduce it. |
Does the DNA bring back “fair share” or network fees?
Not as an established, enacted charge. CCIA’s objection is that the voluntary conciliation mechanism might create a pathway for disputes that later become binding, potentially enabling demands for payments by online services. The materials cited by CCIA frame this as a risk; they do not establish that the proposal itself mandates “fair share” payments.
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The distinction matters: the Commission’s stated rationale is harmonisation and investment, while CCIA’s warning concerns how a dispute mechanism could be changed or applied. Whether the final legislation creates any binding process, fee obligation or other payment mechanism depends on negotiations and the adopted text.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happens to copper networks?
ITPro reports that the proposal calls for mandatory national plans for copper-network transition between 2030 and 2035. This is a reported planning window in the Commission proposal, not a statement that every copper network must shut down on a single EU-wide date. The proposal remains under negotiation, so the planning requirement and its timing could change.
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Has the Digital Networks Act become law?
No. EUR-Lex lists COM(2026) 16 as an ordinary legislative procedure, file 2026/0013/COD. The European Parliament and Council still need to negotiate and adopt a final text. Until that happens, the proposal’s provisions—including the Single Passport, conciliation mechanism and copper-transition planning—are not settled law.
There is no independent published statistic in the cited materials measuring whether the DNA would “favour outdated telecom monopolies.” That phrase is CCIA Europe’s advocacy claim. The Commission sets out policy objectives and proposed mechanisms; CCIA presents a competing assessment of their possible effects.
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