The European Commission's proposal risks missing the target of simplification
On January 21, 2026, the European Commission presented its proposal fora Digital Networks Act (DNA), one of the Commission's key legislative initiatives during its term of office. The proposal aims to strengthen Europe's competitiveness through increased harmonization, simplification, and better conditions for investment in digital infrastructure.
The initiative ties in with the broader European discussion on competitiveness and growth, which has been highlighted in Mario Draghi's analyses of Europe's long-term economic challenges, among other things. For Sweden, as a digitally advanced country, it is essential that new EU rules contribute to actual simplification and a strong investment climate. In this light, TechSverige sees positive ambitions in the proposal, but also a risk of a gap between the ambitions and actual simplification for companies in Sweden.
TechSverige welcomes the European Commission's ambition to strengthen investment in digital infrastructure, not least through a more long-term and predictable spectrum framework. At the same time, it is still unclear to what extent the proposed Digital Networks Act as a whole will lead to actual simplifications for the market.
Risk of a gap between ambitions and actual simplification
The transition from a directive to a regulation may contribute to greater harmonization within the EU, but it also means that there is less scope for national adaptation. For digitally advanced Member States with developed competition, such as Sweden, it is important that the regulatory framework does not lead to more intrusive requirements than those justified by market conditions.
In order to be in line with both the EU's and Sweden's stated ambitions for simplification and investment, there needs to be a clearer focus on phasing out outdated and overlapping sector-specific detailed regulations and relying more on general legislation. This should be an important starting point for further work.
Robert Liljeström
Economic policy expert
The European Commission's presentation of the proposed Digital Networks Act, including background information and overall objectives, is available on the Commission's website.