Event: Digital Networks Act: Reforming the European Telecoms Market
Speaker: Vincent Garnier - Director General
Date and time: 28 January 2026
Location: European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium
Organiser: European Internet Forum
Our Director General Vincent Garnier represented the FTTH Council Europe at a high-level lunch debate organised by the European Internet Forum (EIF) at the European Parliament in Brussels, focusing on the forthcoming Digital Networks Act (DNA).
The European Commission’s upcoming proposal represents a pivotal opportunity to modernise and harmonise the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications and digital connectivity. Building on the European Electronic Communications Code and addressing market realities highlighted in the Letta and Draghi reports, the DNA aims to reduce fragmentation and regulatory burden, while fostering investment and innovation in next-generation networks such as fibre and 5G. As connectivity underpins Europe’s economy and society, the DNA will be central to achieving the EU’s Digital Decade objectives and strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and resilience.
The objective of this lunch debate was to provide an initial assessment of the DNA and its expected impact on the digital ecosystem, bringing together institutional, industrial and stakeholder perspectives. Opening remarks were delivered by MEPs Pilar del Castillo and Michal Kobosko, followed by contributions from Kamila Kloc (DG CNECT, European Commission), Marko Mišmaš (BEREC Chair 2026) and Alessandro Gropelli (Connect Europe), with responses from representatives of consumer organisations, telecoms, the IT industry and connectivity ecosystems.
From the perspective of FTTH Council Europe, this discussion has been a key opportunity to highlight the essential role of fibre-based networks as the long-term, future-proof foundation of Europe’s digital ambitions, and to contribute to shaping a regulatory framework that supports sustainable investment, fair competition and regulatory coherence across the EU.