Connect Europe welcomes the EC’s Competitiveness Compass, calls for faster action on digital networks

Brussels, 29 January 2025 – Connect Europe, representing Europe’s leading connectivity providers, welcomes the European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass as an important step toward building a stronger, more competitive Europe.

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Digital Infrastructure

If we are to improve the socio-economic outcomes of our citizens, then the Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta reports must be implemented urgently, including for the telecom sector.  In line with those reports, the new Competitiveness Compass correctly recognises that closing Europe’s innovation and competitiveness gap requires state-of-the-art digital infrastructure. For the first time, it also prioritizes the Digital Networks Act as a key milestone in the 2025 Working Programme of the Commission.

The Competitiveness Compass rightly emphasizes the strategic focus on robust fibre networks, wireless solutions, investments in 6G, and advanced cloud computing capabilities. However, Europe’s digital infrastructure is trailing its 2030 Digital Decade goals, as confirmed by recent analysis in our 2025 State of Digital Communications Report. Bridging this gap requires urgent action and transformative policies.

We strongly advocate for an urgent and bold Digital Networks Act, one that improves market incentives for investment, reduces unnecessary regulatory burdens, unleashes European innovation and lays the foundation for a real Single Market through sectoral consolidation. Europe’s fragmented markets and overregulated telecom environment hinder not only the build-out of next-generation networks, but also the development of innovative adjacent businesses that can drive economic growth for all.

As highlighted by the insights of Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi, a strong, innovative connectivity ecosystem is essential to building a European technology stack that ensures autonomy, fosters innovation, and creates jobs. 

Read our 8 points policy plan for boosting European competitiveness through reform in connectivity.