The GSMA has urged European telecoms ministers to adopt more ambitious telecoms framework reforms ahead of the EU Council’s upcoming discussion on amendments to the draft European Electronic Communications Code.
To advance Europe’s 5G rollout and the Gigabit Society vision, the GSMA highlights several priorities. Chief among them is reforming spectrum policy. The association argues that creating a predictable, stable and consistent investment environment in Europe is essential, with particular emphasis on extending the duration of spectrum licences. The industry calls for licence terms of at least 25 years, with robust renewal rights, so operators can justify the large, long-term investments required for extensive 5G deployment and network upgrades.
The GSMA also urges the Council to promote stronger coordination and cooperation between EU Member States on spectrum policy. It proposes a peer-review approach for sharing expertise and best practices, helping to align national decisions and reduce fragmentation that can slow cross-border deployment and raise costs.
In addition, the GSMA cautions against introducing changes that would increase the administrative or compliance burden on telecoms providers. For example, it warns that extending harmonised end-user protection rules for interpersonal communication services could raise costs for operators and ultimately constrain their ability to invest in new services and network improvements.
To create a future-proof regulatory framework that supports innovation and the expansion of connected services, the GSMA recommends streamlining regulation for the Internet of Things (IoT). It suggests that internet access services and interpersonal communications services be subject to sector-specific end-user protections, while requirements tied to the conveyance of signals should be limited to security and privacy obligations. This clearer separation of regulatory responsibilities would foster continued innovation and provide a firmer foundation for Europe’s ongoing digital transformation.
Overall, the GSMA’s position stresses predictability, long-term investment signals—especially through extended spectrum licence terms—greater cross-border coordination, and a proportionate regulatory approach for emerging services like IoT. The association believes these measures are necessary to accelerate 5G rollout, support a Gigabit Society, and enable sustained digital growth across Europe.