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A newly obtained internal document, reported by EurActiv, outlines a major overhaul of EU telecoms law that would establish guaranteed broadband access as a legal right while repealing older rules that require public payphones.
Under the draft measures, the European Commission would require national governments to fund guaranteed internet access for their citizens. The proposal argues that, given the wide social and economic benefits, universal service should be financed from general budgets rather than through sector-specific levies. This requirement is likely to prompt pushback from some governments reluctant to allocate public funds for services traditionally provided by private companies.
The plan, expected to be presented in September, sets a target of delivering internet speeds of 100 megabits per second across the EU by 2025. Meeting this target is estimated to require roughly €155 billion in investment. The proposal frames these measures as part of the Digital Single Market strategy’s objective to stimulate investment in high-speed broadband networks while balancing competition concerns raised by access seekers and regulators.
The Commission’s draft describes a package of safeguards meant to protect competition while accelerating the deployment of very high-speed networks and, where practical, enabling competing infrastructures. The aim is to encourage rollout and investment without undermining market dynamics that foster choice and innovation.
Some industry experts have criticized the 100 Mbps target as insufficiently ambitious, arguing that higher speeds are already becoming the norm. Commission officials, however, maintain the goal is realistic. Commissioners have also suggested that by 2025 they expect every village to have access to gigabit connectivity, indicating longer-term ambitions beyond the immediate target.
Affordable, widely available internet would be welcomed by consumers and many advocacy groups. Consumer organizations and a number of Members of the European Parliament have long called for stronger universal access measures, and they will likely view this proposal as progress toward broader connectivity rights.
Telecom operators may welcome one aspect of the proposal: governments, rather than the operators themselves, would be responsible for funding network deployment in rural areas where commercial networks are not yet viable. This approach could relieve operators of the obligation to finance unprofitable rollouts while ensuring underserved communities receive service through public investment.
The proposal raises several policy and practical questions: how public funds will be allocated, how to balance rapid deployment with competitive markets, and how national governments will absorb the fiscal responsibility. Implementation will require coordination between the Commission, member states, industry stakeholders, and regulators to ensure targets are met while preserving healthy competition.
Overall, the draft represents a significant shift toward treating broadband as an essential public service across the EU. If adopted, it would reshape responsibilities for funding and deployment, aiming to deliver faster, more equitable internet access to citizens and communities throughout the Union.
What are your thoughts on the EU-wide internet access proposal? Let us know in the comments.