On March 27, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen championed the Digital Networks Act, to harmonize the EU telecom regulations across member states to reduce legal fragmentation.
A secure system of the EU telecom regulation framework would help smaller telecom operators work more efficiently across the continent’s borders. With fewer legal irregularities, the EU’s telcos can devote their resources to infrastructure development.
Not only would this level the playing field for telecom providers in Europe, as well as boosting competition, but it will lower consumer prices and accelerate technology adoption rates in underserved areas.
Fragmentation in Telecom EU Regulations
Virkkunen emphasized that the heterogeneous implementation of the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) by member states has led to market fragmentation. She called for simplifying the existing EECC to enable investment and enable the biggest telecom companies in Europe to meet their 2030 connectivity objectives, such as widespread fiber and 5G coverage.
Letta’s report, “Much More Than a Market – Speed, Security, Solidarity: Empowering the Single Market to Deliver a Sustainable Future and Prosperity for All EU Citizens,” recommends the telecom industry in Europe rule harmonization and operators consolidation, Virkkunen reported that the Commission is also contemplating an option for liberalizing the regulation of mergers and doing away with certain pre-emptive approaches of the EECC. If and how these telecom operators in Europe changes would be part of the DNA wasn’t clarified.
Cybersecurity Implementation Issues
On cybersecurity, Virkkunen was dissatisfied with the slow 5G toolbox rollout, meant to eliminate “high-risk” products from EU mobile networks.
Five years following its introduction, 17 countries still rely on such products, with Virkkunen saying that “stronger measures are needed.”
echoing a recent letter signed by 40 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) demanding more action following warnings of issues with suppliers.
The announcement by Virkkunen emphasizes the European Commission’s efforts to make digital rules simpler and enhance levels of cybersecurity across the EU telecom services.
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