Brussels/Bonn, January 21, 2026 – Today, the European Commission published its draft Digital Networks Act (DNA). Lisia Mix-Bieber, Head of Public Policy at the German Broadband Association (BREKO), comments:

“The first draft of the Digital Networks Act presents a mixed picture: truly promising ideas for the switch from copper to fibre networks and regarding the regulation of companies with significant market power, but also very problematic changes affecting mobile network markets and with regard to legal requirements for alternative network operators. Based on this draft, the EU would only partially achieve its goals of creating planning security, triggering additional investment, and ensuring fair competition.

The desire for a common legal framework for the entire EU is understandable. However, harmonization must not destroy the ability to adequately take into account the broad diversity of market conditions in different member states. BREKO therefore continues to believe that the DNA should be designed as a directive rather than the currently planned legal form of a regulation.

We expect the DNA to be particularly helpful in setting rules for the transition from DSL to fibre networks. We commend the European Commission for prioritizing this technology upgrade as a key element for the future of digital infrastructures, and welcome its push to clearly regulate this process. It is, however, crucial that the timetable set out in the DNA does not slow down or thwart national legislators’ and regulators’ initiatives that are already underway.

For the German market more than others, it is an important signal from Brussels that the regulation of companies with significant market power shall be maintained in order to prevent a re-monopolization of the telecommunications market.

In the current state of the market, the Commission‘s move to make it easier for national regulators to regulate small and medium-sized network operators is rather counterproductive. Instead, consumers should benefit from stronger competition in telecommunications markets.

The Commission’s proposals for future rules governing mobile networks are very problematic: they would cement the existing oligopoly of mobile network operators. An efficient digital single market requires the opposite: more competition and fair access to mobile networks for companies who do not hold mobile spectrum licenses.

We welcome the initiative to further harmonise consumer rights in the telecommunications market. Uniform rules across Europe create transparency, strengthen user confidence and remove existing bureaucratic hurdles.” “