Telecom industry association Connect Europe has called on Ireland, which has assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, to prioritize policies that strengthen Europe’s digital infrastructure and transform connectivity into a key driver of competitiveness, economic growth and technological sovereignty. The organization argues that Europe’s ambitions in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing depend on world-class telecom networks.

Among its priorities, Connect Europe urges the Irish Presidency to advance the Digital Networks Act (DNA) by creating a more investment-friendly regulatory framework. The industry is calling for greater long-term certainty on spectrum licensing, a modernized access regime with reduced regulatory intervention, market-driven fibre deployment, simplified and harmonized rules across the digital ecosystem, and greater legal certainty to support innovation in advanced 5G and future 6G networks.

The association also highlights the importance of the upcoming review of the Cybersecurity Act, advocating for risk-based and proportionate security measures that strengthen network resilience without creating unnecessary costs or barriers to investment. It also welcomes the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act, stressing that Europe’s cloud and AI ambitions require robust, high-capacity connectivity infrastructure capable of supporting innovation and digital transformation.

According to Connect Europe, Ireland’s six-month EU Presidency offers a strategic opportunity to position connectivity policy as a central pillar of Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and long-term digital leadership.