Speaking at the Rewriting the telecom rulebook: the Digital Networks Act session at the WIK annual conference on 17 September 2025, BEREC Chair Robert Mourik (ComReg, Ireland) outlined BEREC’s strategic vision for the future of telecom regulation in Europe. He acknowledged that while the current regulatory framework has delivered significant benefits in terms of competition, innovation and consumer protection, it will require a periodic refresh to meet the challenges of the next phase of digital development, to cater for a range on new services from digital, to 5G, and now artificial intelligence.

During the opening session with Dr. Kamila Kloc, Director for the Digital Decade and Connectivity at the European Commission, Mr. Mourik reaffirmed that investment is not harmed by competition, delivering low consumer prices, but also driving investment such that Europe is still rolling out and innovating in telecoms markets. He also set out that the DNA is a good opportunity to simplify and tweak regulation, but the case for radical change to a framework which has served European consumers well has manifestly not been made.

Future of SMP

In another key session, panellists discussed whether the current significant market power (SMP)-based access regulation, initially developed for the copper era, remains suitable in a full-fibre environment. The discussion also covered the potential revision of the Relevant Market Recommendation, the GIA, strategies to support the copper switch-off, and the long-term direction of access regulation in fibre-based networks.

Incoming BEREC Chair Marko Mismas (AKOS, Slovenia) reaffirmed BEREC’s commitment to a balanced and proportionate regulatory approach that both safeguards competition and adapts to technological evolution. He stressed that a successful transition from copper to fibre requires proactive communication with end users, operators and local authorities to avoid forced migrations, delays and service interruptions.

WIK conference

Annual WIK conferences focus on discussions relevant to BEREC’s expertise. This year’s conference, entitled What direction for digital policy in the geopolitical era?, examined how global power shifts are affecting Europe’s connectivity goals and regulatory strategies. A key topic was the upcoming Digital Networks Act (EU DNA), which aims to modernise telecom regulation to address the new technological and market realities. WIK, the Scientific Institute for Infrastructure and Communications Services, based in Germany, is an organisation that provides independent research and consultation in areas such as telecommunications, digitisation, the internet and data economy, smart energy, postal services and logistics.