The FTTH Council Europe welcomes the Digital Networks Act (DNA)
The FTTH Council Europe welcomes the Digital Networks Act (DNA) as put forward by the European Commission.
The mission of the FTTH Council Europe is to ensure the widespread availability and use of FTTH in Europe as quickly as possible. Achieving this requires a regulatory framework that incentivises investment and fosters effective competition—two objectives that must remain at the core of any access policy. These elements are central to the DNA proposal.
The FTTH Council Europe believes that the current regulatory framework has delivered positive outcomes. Maintaining the SMP process in the proposed DNA is essential for preserving competition and demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to a stable and predictable regulatory environment. This stability is critical to supporting investors and enabling the continued development of sustainable competition for the benefit of consumers.
The Council also welcomes the proposed switch-off process for copper networks, which balances the need to provide a clear signal to investors with the reality that some Member States may be slower to transition. Ensuring consumers remain connected is a key consideration. The copper switch-off is an important signal for investors as they assess financing for the remaining 20% of households not yet covered by FTTH networks in Europe.
Regarding the proposed Harmonised Access Products, the FTTH Council Europe stresses that any remedies should be tailored to national and market realities, which can differ significantly across countries and market segments. National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) are best placed to define appropriate SMP obligations that reflect the unique characteristics of their markets.
The Council notes that some aspects of the DNA require refinement. In particular, it believes a different approach may be needed concerning the availability of licence-free spectrum for RLAN. The FTTH Council Europe looks forward to working constructively with co-legislators, sharing its insights and experience to further refine the proposal.