21 Jan. Digital Networks Act: Competition remains the guiding principle – right signals for the German market
Brussels, 21.01.2026. Today, the European Commission presented the Digital Networks Act (DNA), laying the groundwork for further digitalisation in Germany and across the EU. ‘We welcome that Brussels has taken Germany’s special conditions into account in the DNA – both in terms of the copper-fibre migration and the competition problems in the fixed network,’ emphasises VATM President Valentina Daiber. ‘Now it is time to fine-tune the key points.’
‘The copper network needs a clear switch-off date, as the Commission has correctly recognised,’ said Daiber. ‘The next ten years or so, until 2035, provide companies, regulators and citizens with sufficient planning certainty.’ Now the focus must be on structuring and defining the migration processes, regulating the distribution of costs fairly and managing further development wisely in order to prevent market distortions. ‘It is the diversity of providers and services that makes fibre optic networks attractive to people. The choice that is customary on copper networks must also be preserved on the new network infrastructure.’
VATM Managing Director Dr Frederic Ufer also warns against regulatory missteps. ‘Especially in a market where one player continues to hold significant market power, competition and the investments made by competitors, must be protected.’ For Germany in particular, it is therefore crucial that the EU maintains effective means of intervention against dominant companies. ‘Brussels has rightly recognised that the fixed-line market in Germany continues to be dominated by the Telekom’s market power.’ Against this backdrop, a shift to symmetric regulation would have been a serious mistake. In a market that remains dominated, it would primarily benefit the incumbent and weaken competition. ‘Regulation aimed at addressing market dominance and preventing the abuse of market power therefore remains indispensable to ensure fair access and effective competition,’ said Ufer. The Federal Network Agency must consistently follow this fundamental approach in Germany.
From VATM’s perspective, the value added by EU efforts to shift more competences to Brussels must also be carefully assessed. In some areas, greater centralisation can strengthen the Single Market. At the same time, reducing bureaucracy is one of the EU’s main objectives. ‘The DNA must not lead to the creation of yet another layer of administrative structure,’ warns the VATM president. ‘If the DNA complicates and slows down procedures again, rather than removing bureaucratic obstacles, it would do Europe’s digitalization a disservice.’ Instead, the sector needs effective regulation that can respond to national circumstances where necessary.
More about the Digital Networks Act? Follow VATM “DNA Deep Dive” at www.linkedin.com/company/vatm/.
