EU countries warn of Commission power grab in telecom law revamp

Half of the EU member states are concerned that the European Commission will attempt to seize control of spectrum management in a planned revamp of the bloc's telecom rules, according to minutes of a meeting seen by Euronews.

During yesterday’s telecommunications working party with representatives of the 27 member states, some 13 countries warned that the current draft text might invite the EU executive to claim more powers over management, licensing and organisation of spectrum policy. 

Currently, spectrum management is mostly a national competence, which includes awarding licences to telecom providers to deploy 5G infrastructure. 

The countries led by Sweden include Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland and Spain, and asked Hungary – which is chairing ministerial discussions until the end of December – to emphasise national competence in the draft text. 

The Commission published a white paper last February – spearheaded by outgoing Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton – designed to address problems with connectivity, spectrum and investment, with a view to ultimately adopt the Digital Networks Act (DNA) in the next mandate.

Representatives of national governments aim to land on a common position on the white paper on connectivity by 6 December.

Incoming EU Technology Commissioner Henna Virkkunen has been tasked by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with “working on a new Digital Networks Act, to help boost secure high-speed broadband, both fixed and wireless”, according to her mission letter.

Virkkunen said in her confirmation hearing in the European Parliament yesterday that she plans to publish the DNA early next year.  

The rules will coincide with the planned review of the EU’s current telecom rules: the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC). 

Up till now, most of the 27 EU member states have remained sceptical about the plans and questioned the need for additional rules. 

They recently called upon the Commission to further analyse challenges arising from emerging technologies, consider future-proof solutions, and base its proposals on evidence.