"The European Commission's proposed Digital Networks Act (DNA) promises to rewire the EU's telecom landscape, with big implications for artificial intelligence infrastructure, connectivity equity, and the startup ecosystem. I have to say it's a bold vision of a more connected, innovative Europe, but one that must navigate a thicket of competing interests and unanswered questions. A connectivity overhaul in context This mirrors the logic behind earlier EU tech regulations; just as the Digital Markets Act tackled Big Tech gatekeepers, the Digital Networks Act targets the digital plumbing beneath them."
"In theory, more cell towers could now reach remote areas, and companies might more freely trade or lease unused frequencies to new players. But there's a catch. Broadband for all is the mantra, and long license tenures will come with accountability to deliver on coverage. In practice, this means big incumbents might face extra obligations, from transparency to price controls, across their range of services. The idea is to prevent giants from leveraging their dominance in one domain to squelch competition in another."
The Digital Networks Act aims to modernize EU telecom infrastructure, boost investment, and standardize rules to support AI infrastructure, connectivity equity, and startup growth. The reform offers longer spectrum certainty to encourage 5G and future 6G deployments and enables trading or leasing of unused frequencies to new entrants. Longer license tenures will be paired with coverage accountability and new obligations such as transparency and potential price controls to prevent market leverage. The measure seeks to open space for smaller ISPs and innovative entrants while balancing incumbents' investment incentives against competition and equitable connectivity goals.
Read at TNW | Opinion
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