GSMA-Connect Europe statement on the European Commission’s work programme

As Europe’s telecoms sector increasingly trails behind other developed economies in availability of state-of-the art digital infrastructure while facing mounting global competition and massive investment gaps, the need for a bold and future-proof DNA has never been more urgent. Without decisive action, Europe risks falling further behind in technological leadership, innovation, and digital infrastructure development.

Telecoms networks remain undervalued and under pressure while existing regulation frustrates efforts to encourage essential investment. Simplifying this framework, reducing the regulatory burden and prioritising speed and agility must be priorities for the new Commission.

The DNA will not stand alone – other critical policy areas include the review of EU merger policy, which should be expedited given its importance for consolidation and scale – but offers the opportunity to restore Europe’s position as a global tech powerhouse providing it delivers on its potential. This means:
• Profoundly revising the current sector-specific regulatory framework, reducing the regulatory burden to reflect the competitive dynamics in today’s market, as well as the simplification of rules, with more harmonisation only in those areas where it is beneficial for investment. 
• This should result in a framework of fair and equivalent rules across the whole digital networks ecosystem.
• Introducing competitiveness as a central policy objective of the future DNA, aiming to drive increased investment in network rollout and avoid Europe falling even further behind other global players.
• Adopting a harmonised and pro-investment approach to spectrum policy, via much longer spectrum assignments.

Whether striving towards the Digital Decade targets of providing 5G at every populated place by 2030 or advancing next-generation fixed-network connectivity, Europe’s digital infrastructure underpins nearly every aspect of modern life, the backbone of the continent’s economic growth and innovation.

It is essential to ensure that networks remain fit for purpose in meeting evolving demands – both in terms of use cases, competitiveness, and resilience – especially as industrial and AI-driven applications continue to expand. What we cannot afford is for this to be a missed opportunity.

Europe needs a DNA that will finally make digital regulation fit for the modern world and facilitate crucial investment in our critical digital infrastructure. The Commission has the chance to ensure a resilient and future-proof digital ecosystem that works as a lifeblood for industrial innovation, benefits all of Europe’s citizens, businesses and its society as a whole – now it must deliver on that promise.

European Commission’s work programme