At its June plenary, the EESC adopted the opinion on the Digital Networks Act (DNA), drawn up by Maurizio Mensi. The opinion throws its support behind the European Commission proposal to boost the EU’s connectivity and says that the Digital Networks Act will only be successful if it delivers secure, resilient and inclusive connectivity that truly works for Europe’s people, businesses and regions.

The EESC underlines that the telecommunications sector plays a vital role and, with the Commission’s proposal, the EU is carrying out a much needed and proportionate update of its framework for electronic communications.

‘The Digital Networks Act is a strategic intervention with direct implications for competitiveness, security and the ability of organised civil society to operate in a genuine single market,’ said Mr Mensi. ‘It is a significant step in the reform process of European connectivity, with the end goal of setting a more modern, harmonised and investment-friendly regulatory framework for the Union’s digital networks.’

The EESC singles out three points in particular: 

1) Security and simplification

First, the Digital Networks Act must offer both security and simplification through a proportionate and risk-based approach which updates and strengthens resilience. Simplification is not the opposite of security but a prerequisite for effectively putting it into practice.

2) Governance

Second, to avoid overlaps and institutional duplication, the Committee calls for a clear allocation of competences between the Office for Digital Networks (ODN), the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), the Radio Spectrum Policy Body (RSPB) and the national regulatory authorities (NRAs).

3) Transparency

Third, the governance framework must ensure transparency and participation, a structured dialogue with social partners and civil society, and a consistent implementation across the EU Member States. (mp)