EU Proposes Digital Networks Act To Enhance Connectivity

BRUSSELS, Jan 22 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Wednesday proposed the Digital Networks Act to modernise, simplify and harmonise European Union (EU) rules on connectivity networks.

The proposal aims to create conditions for operators to invest in the rollout of advanced fibre and mobile networks, which underpin technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing, the Commission said in a press release, reported Xinhua.

Under the act, companies would be able to provide services across the EU while registering in only one member state.

It would also introduce an EU-level spectrum authorisation framework to promote pan-European satellite communication services, while increasing consistency in national spectrum authorization by granting longer licenses and making renewals the default option.

The proposal would require member states to present mandatory national transition plans in 2029 to phase out copper networks and shift to advanced networks between 2030 and 2035.

The proposal will be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for approval.  

--BERNAMA-XINHUA