Home / Business and Economy / EU Red Tape Stifles Telecoms, Says DT Chief
EU Red Tape Stifles Telecoms, Says DT Chief
26 Feb
Summary
- DT CEO criticizes EU's excessive regulation and bureaucracy.
- New EU Digital Networks Act offers spectrum flexibility but no fees.
- European operators wanted tech giants to fund network infrastructure.
Deutsche Telekom CEO Timotheus Hoettges has expressed significant dissatisfaction with the European Union's handling of telecommunications sector reform, calling for greater deregulation. Hoettges stated that the bloc is increasingly imposing bureaucratic hurdles and additional requirements on companies.
In response to months of pressure from European telecom firms, the European Commission unveiled the Digital Networks Act in January. This proposed revamp includes provisions for operators to utilize radio spectrum indefinitely, a move intended to enhance investment predictability.
However, the initiative did not satisfy the primary request from European operators: to mandate U.S. tech giants like Google, Netflix, and Meta to pay network fees due to their substantial traffic generation. Instead, the Act opts for a voluntary cooperation framework.
