Government supports modernising EU rules on connectivity

Government supports modernising EU rules on connectivity

The Government submitted its communication to Parliament on 1 April 2026 regarding the European Commission's proposal for a Digital Networks Act (DNA). The Government supports the proposal's aims to modernise and simplify regulation.

The European Commission published its proposal for a new regulation on digital networks on 21 January 2026. The regulation seeks to harmonise and update EU rules on communications networks. The Commission aims at creating an effective single market by facilitating cross-border business and reducing the administrative burden on companies.

The Government supports the development of the EU single market for electronic communications. It considers it important that regulation on electronic communications forms a clear and coherent whole that reflects technological change.

The Government supports the parts of the proposal that would lighten regulation and make it more flexible and remove administrative burden from businesses. Measures to streamline regulation could even go further than proposed by the Commission.

The Government welcomes efforts to create a more consistent approach to spectrum policy in the EU. The use of radio spectrum, which is limited and has major social and economic importance, should be as efficient as possible. Predictable spectrum planning encourages investment.

Spectrum policy should aim for a shared commitment among Member States to bring frequencies into use quickly. At the same time, it is important that the actions of leading countries in spectrum policy are not slowed down. The Government considers it essential that EU regulation allows sufficient national flexibility, for example in relation to licensing processes and the terms of spectrum licences.

Digital Networks Act would harmonise EU rules on connectivity

The Commission's proposal for a Digital Networks Act would introduce a Single Passport authorisation, allowing telecom operators to notify once in a single Member State in order to operate in all Member States. Providers of satellite communication services would receive an EU-level authorisation, supporting the development of EU-wide satellite services and strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy.

Under the proposal, spectrum licences giving the right to use frequencies would in principle be valid indefinitely, and their renewal would be possible without a new licensing process. The use of all available spectrum would also be improved, for example by increasing spectrum sharing.

The proposal includes administrative reforms concerning the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) and the BEREC secretariat. The authorities would receive new tasks, including drawing up a Union Preparedness Plan for Digital Infrastructures.

The DNA would also encourage the transition to fibre networks by regulating the phase-out of copper networks and further developing market regulation. The proposal includes new resilience measures for European electronic communications networks, as well as provisions on universal service, net neutrality and users' rights.

What's next?

The Council, made up of the EU Member States, and the European Parliament will now form their positions on the Commission's proposals.

Inquiries:

Mirka Meres-Wuori, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 061, [email protected]
Satu Kaskinen, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 044, [email protected]