Telecoms industry backs the Digital Omnibus as a first step toward simpler, smarter EU digital rules, but calls for bolder ambition in further simplification

Brussels, 19 November 2025: Connect Europe and the GSMA, the industry associations representing Europe’s telecoms operators, welcome the European Commission’s Digital Omnibus package in its intention to deliver on President von der Leyen’s agenda of regulatory simplification and modernisation.

However, while we welcome the easing of unnecessary red tape in certain areas, most notably around cybersecurity, data, GDPR and AI, there remains much more to be done to truly support Europe’s digital ecosystem and allow its core players to focus on continuing to provide the quality of connectivity the continent’s citizens and businesses need and expect. The Commission’s intention to delay the implementation of high-risk AI provisions is sensible, giving industry and authorities the necessary time to develop the harmonised standards the AI Act depends on.

The clearest example of regulatory overlap, duplication and asymmetric application to telecoms is the outdated ePrivacy Directive. The Digital Omnibus was a great opportunity to address this that has unfortunately not been taken, besides the provisions related to cookies. As such, there must now be renewed urgency within the Commission to repeal this Directive and integrate its principle of confidentiality of communication into future EU-wide rules.

Meanwhile, Europe’s digital economy is among the most regulated in the world and within that, telecoms operators still face the heaviest obligations. A complex mix of 28 horizontal and sector-specific regulations, translating into 34 distinct obligations across the customer journey of which almost half overlap, should be prioritised in future simplification efforts.

The introduction of single-entry-point for incident reporting could be a good example of a positive move within the Omnibus. However, whereas single-entry points at national level would certainly bring quick and substantial benefits in respect of national specificities, we are afraid that an EU-wide system would entail a much longer and costly setup, with uncertain ultimate effects on reporting burdens.  Besides notifications, duplication remains and efforts should now be made to align reporting requirements by streamlining timelines – otherwise reporting multiple times to a single entity will still be innately burdensome.

Ultimately the Digital Omnibus is a welcome start but it is important the Commission views it as only the first step, not the final destination. The telecoms industry, led by Connect Europe and the GSMA, looks forward to working with the Commission on continuing to modernise Europe’s digital landscape and building a rulebook that strengthens the continent’s competitiveness, security and technological leadership.