In the opening address, the speaker noted the many significant policy developments since the last IIC Forum, including the Letta and Draghi reports, BEREC’S opinion and outputs from the EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council. Discussions and research are contributing to shaping the upcoming Digital Networks Act aimed at improving European connectivity.
The key debate, he said, is how to boost Europe’s digital competitiveness. Geopolitical shifts have highlighted the importance of network security and resilience. Technological sovereignty is now a central concern, with a draft report being presented in the European Parliament.
The evolving digital landscape
The first session featured a keynote conversation exploring the evolving landscape of digital connectivity, regulation and market dynamics across Europe. The speaker noted the profound technological shift under way, particularly the transition from legacy copper networks to high-speed fibre and the continued evolution of mobile networks. This transformation, accompanied by unprecedented investment levels, has resulted in a more fragmented yet dynamic market. While most European telecoms markets are now deregulated, the focus remains on safeguarding competition, especially as the landscape becomes more oligopolistic. Digital connectivity has improved significantly, with major strides in fibre and 5G rollout. But he acknowledged a gap between industry progress and the European Commission’s ambitious 2030 targets, creating a tension between optimism and urgency.
The Digital Networks Act: the future of connectivity in the EU
The second session of the Forum began by considering the forthcoming Digital Networks Act (DNA) and its potential to reshape digital connectivity in Europe.
A panellist representing an ISP noted that while regulation in fixed networks has largely succeeded in fostering competition, it is premature to dismantle existing frameworks. She argued for retaining regulatory mechanisms where market failures persist—especially in areas with limited competition. The speaker challenged current open internet rules, suggesting they stifle innovation and unfairly burden ISPs.
A contributor from the European Commission acknowledged the complexity of current regulations. The Commission’s goals, he said, are simplification, enabling cross-border operations and fostering investment-friendly environments. There is no intent to impose network fees but better mechanisms to resolve disputes, currently handled inefficiently by courts, are needed.
Another panellist reflected on regulatory history and highlighted the challenges of full deregulation, particularly in duopoly markets, where barriers to entry still exist. He suggested regulators remain cautious, especially where competitive dynamics are fragile, and urged flexibility to support investment from both incumbents and new entrants.
Media regulation and pluralism in Europe
Session 3 of the Forum focused on the significant regulatory shifts ushered in by the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) and its interplay with other key European digital laws, including the Digital Services Act (DSA), AI Act, and the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). Panellists discussed how these frameworks are reshaping media governance, with a strong emphasis on democracy, pluralism and regulatory coherence.
The first speaker argued that the EMFA has triggered a comprehensive modernisation of national media legislation, prompted by the need to accommodate a broader range of responsibilities and competencies. Originally designed around the AVMSD, the national framework is being adapted to meet the demands of the EMFA and other EU-level acts.
Panellists acknowledged the increasing overlap between legal frameworks, with the DSA, AI Act, Digital Markets Act (DMA) and proposed Digital Fairness Act all touching on similar areas, including disinformation, protection of minors and advertising standards. Rather than a wholesale revision of the AVMSD, panellists advocated a carefully coordinated approach, potentially involving cross-referencing and clarification between frameworks to ease compliance and ensure consistency across the regulatory landscape.
EU competitiveness on the global stage
This session centred on the EU’s ambition to become a globally competitive digital powerhouse. A representative from the European Commission opened with a strategic overview of the Competitiveness Compass, highlighting the urgency of closing the EU’s innovation and productivity gap with the US—particularly in technology adoption. Europe’s strong startup ecosystem, he noted, is hindered by regulatory fragmentation, underinvestment in deep tech and poor uptake of foundational digital technologies such as cloud and AI.
Driven by a sense that Europe had become too dependent – particularly on foreign technology – the Commission is positioning competitiveness as its central priority
An industry representative focused on the burdens facing European tech companies, arguing that the current regulatory patchwork stifles growth and innovation. She advocated regulatory simplification that is genuinely simple, urging policymakers to remove outdated or overlapping rules rather than continually layering on new ones.
A panellist from a tech company stressed the mounting complexity faced by companies operating under a growing web of EU digital legislation. He warned that the current regulatory load—intended for peacetime commerce—is ill-suited for today’s turbulent geopolitical landscape.
A speaker noted that while innovation can happen in Europe, it’s often easier to scale outside it. He said that, while rooted in Europe, his company now generates more revenue outside the EU, due to fewer regulatory barriers. He called for urgent action to turn the EU’s fragmented market into a true single market that enables home-grown firms to grow and compete globally.
Online safety
In this session the Forum focused on the rapidly evolving landscape of online safety regulation, with particular emphasis on the EU’s Digital Services Act and the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA).
The first speaker highlighted the DSA’s twofold approach to protecting minors: requiring all platforms (except micro and small enterprises) to ensure a high level of safety for minors under Article 28, and enforcing risk assessments and mitigation measures for very large online platforms under Articles 34 and 35. There would be guidelines to clarify expectations for platform design and age verification forming part of a broader EU strategy, including a cyberbullying action plan and expert advisory group.
The second speaker outlined the UK’s OSA implementation journey. While the UK is behind the EU in some respects, she noted that the Act had significantly expanded Ofcom’s remit. The regulator’s immediate focus lies on illegal content and child safety, with guidance already issued and enforcement set to begin.
A recurring theme was the need for international cooperation. Regulators agreed that while the DSA and OSA provide strong legal frameworks, true regulatory success will depend on collaboration and shared pressure across borders.
The vision for the new European Commission
In this address, the speaker laid out the strategic digital vision of the new European Commission, now just over 100 days into its mandate. She emphasised the Commission’s renewed focus on competitiveness, digital sovereignty and resilience in the face of escalating geopolitical shifts.
Driven by a sense that Europe had become too dependent—particularly on foreign technology—the Commission is positioning competitiveness as its central priority: cutting red tape, deregulating where necessary and supporting business through pragmatic reforms.
The speaker firmly defended Europe’s digital rulebook—including the DSA, DMA and the soon-to-be-implemented AI Act. She rejected criticisms that these laws stifle innovation or amount to censorship. Instead, she framed them as pragmatic, evidence-based tools that enforce due diligence, foster competition and uphold Europe’s core values of fairness, transparency and fundamental rights.
Her vision is for a smarter, assertive Europe – less reliant on imported technologies, more confident in shaping its own digital future and committed to defending democratic values in a rapidly changing world.
AI Act implementation and enforcement progress
The panel opened with remarks on the complex legal landscape emerging around AI in Europe.
A panellist from an academic institution outlined the AI Act’s foundational risk-based approach, categorising AI systems into four types: unacceptable, high, limited and minimal risk. He emphasised the complexity of the AI Act’s layered enforcement mechanisms – split between national and EU-level authorities – and flagged the growing body of ‘soft law’ guidance, which, while not legally binding, heavily influences practice.
Another speaker offered a critical industry perspective on the development of the code of practice for general purpose AI. She described a rushed, top-down process that lacked meaningful collaboration among AI developers, and imposed burdensome and potentially unworkable obligations.
One contributor argued that AI’s dynamic nature defies the logic of static, product-centric regulation. He also warned that excessive red tape and over-specification are undermining innovation and legal certainty, a concern echoed by other panellists.
Panellists advised the UK to show caution before replicating the AI Act model. With general data protection laws and human rights standards already in place, and the UK a signatory of the Council of Europe’s AI convention, the need for new AI-specific regulation remains debatable.
Findability and prominence of media services
Several panellists emphasised that prominence is no longer about being ‘channel one’ on a linear electronic programme guide. Instead, it’s about where content appears visually on home screens, within app interfaces, and in search and recommendation systems. The growing influence of platforms and the decline of direct access to news and public interest content is driving concerns about media plurality, democracy and the sustainability of public service broadcasting (PSB).
In the UK the new Media Act mandates that designated platforms must carry PSB on-demand players and make them appropriately prominent. Another speaker reflected on Germany’s pioneering, but flawed, implementation of prominence rules. She highlighted problems such as excessive designation of content as ‘public value’ and ineffective interface design.
A panellist discussed the commercial side, introducing a data-driven ‘media placement value’ metric that assesses how visible content is across connected devices. He emphasised that 70 per cent of users discover content by browsing rather than searching, underscoring the importance of placement and interface design.
Media freedom and content moderation
The online journalism panel tackled the growing tension between press freedom and the digital platforms’ role in content governance. As the panel chair put it, the heart of the debate lies in reconciling journalistic independence with the need to tackle misinformation and hate speech online, particularly in a fragmented and fast-evolving media ecosystem.
The panel broadly agreed that media independence and content moderation must co-exist, not conflict. Press freedom loses meaning if public trust in information erodes. Defining ‘media’ remains complex in a world of influencers and citizen journalists. Several panellists called for clearer definitions and oversight mechanisms that do not stifle legitimate, independent media voices.
The conversation also touched on the role of content creators and influencers, whose storytelling impact mirrors journalistic techniques but often lacks editorial safeguards. There is a risk of ‘news avoidance’ and the urgent need to rebuild trust and engagement with journalism.
Transatlantic tensions and European sovereignty: a call for strategic unity
In a wide-ranging and urgent address, an MEP and co-rapporteur of the EU AI Act delivered a candid assessment of Europe’s position in an increasingly complex transatlantic and geopolitical landscape. From the pressures on the International Criminal Court to trade tensions with the United States, the speaker underscored the need for strategic coherence, digital sovereignty and renewed political will in the face of accelerating global shifts.
AI and the future of global standards
Reflecting on his experience negotiating the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, the speaker praised the legislation for initiating a global dialogue on ethical, transparent and safe AI. He warned, however, of the need to simplify compliance for SMEs, support smaller players in adapting to new rules and ensure continued cooperation on generative AI standards through forums such as the G7 and OECD.
In light of President von der Leyen’s proposal for AI giga-factories to match US investments, the speaker was blunt: ‘we are too late’. He echoed warnings from Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta that Europe must act as a unified bloc if it hopes to compete with China or the US in digital infrastructure and investment.
AI networks
The discussion began with a speaker highlighting that AI is already embedded across networks, sometimes under different terminology. He stressed the need for infrastructure and regulatory frameworks that can support the seamless and secure integration of AI, not only to empower consumer applications but also to optimise network operations and data centre functionality.
A panellist underscored the gaps in readiness, referencing research which showed low confidence among business leaders, particularly in Europe, regarding infrastructure and skills. He pointed to the transformative role of AI in cybersecurity, network management, customer experience and energy efficiency. However, he emphasised that meaningful uptake requires not just investment in AI infrastructure, but also in human capital and digital literacy, including within public administration.
Connectivity from space
Opening the session, the speaker emphasised that hybrid connectivity solutions – combining satellites, fixed wireless access and terrestrial networks – will be critical for achieving Europe’s digital targets in a cost-effective way. He highlighted the growing role of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) in the context of 6G development, while also identifying key regulatory challenges, such as lawful interception and spectrum monitoring.
The panel agreed that NTNs will not replace terrestrial networks but will complement them in achieving universal, resilient, and secure connectivity. Accelerating European leadership in space, they concluded, will require clearer policies, greater public-private collaboration and investment in both infrastructure and human capital.
The Brussels DCMF was sponsored by Frontier Economics and Looper Insights.
This report was drafted using ChatGPT
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