EU Electronic Communications Code

The EECC was adopted in 2018 and applied to all electronic communications networks and services in the EU. Only three Member States met the December 2020 deadline for transposing the EECC into national law. The transposition in all 27 Member States was only completed in August 2024, with the Commission supporting the Member States in the implementation process. Moreover, the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) has developed and adopted a significant number of guidelines, which aimed to promote a consistent application of the EECC and contribute to its successful implementation. 

The Commission completed the review of the functioning of the EECC on 21 January 2026 with the adoption and publication of a Report to the European Parliament and the Council. After highlighting several challenges, the Digital Networks Act (DNA) proposal aims to replace the Code. In turn, the DNA will create a modern, simplified and more harmonised legal framework, that boosts innovation and investment in resilient and advanced digital infrastructure, that is critical for enabling the adoption of AI, cloud, space and other innovative technologies.  

Background

The EECC introduced a new general objective to promote connectivity and access to, and take-up of, very high-capacity networks, including fixed, mobile and wireless networks, by all citizens and businesses of the Union. Increased emphasis was also given to the need to take into account the variety of conditions relating to infrastructure and competition in different geographic areas and the need to promote efficient investment and innovation in new and enhanced infrastructures. 

Universal service

Access to basic communication services is crucial for participation in today’s economy and society.

European electronic communications rules seek to make broadband internet access and voice communications affordable and available throughout Europe through effective competition and choice. Where the needs of consumers are not met by the market, universal service obligations ensure that affordable adequate internet access and voice communications services are available, regardless of personal circumstances like location, income or disability. The adequate broadband internet must have sufficient bandwidth for using important services such as eGovernment, internet banking, and standard quality video calls.

Higher quality of services

The EECC aimed to improve connection speeds and coverage by:

• Making it more attractive for all companies to invest in new top-quality infrastructures, everywhere in the EU, both locally and across national borders
• Making rules for co-investment more predictable and promoting risk sharing in the deployment of very high capacity networks, including 5G networks
• Promoting sustainable competition for the benefit of consumers

Better consumer protection

The Code aimed to protect consumers irrespective of whether they communicate through traditional (calls, SMS) or other messaging or web-based e-mail services by:

• Ensuring giving equivalent access to electronic communications services for end-users with disabilities
• Promoting tariff transparency and comparison of contractual offers, e.g. through contract summaries 
• Protecting consumers subscribing to bundled service packages
• Making it easier to change service provider and keep the same phone number, including rules for compensation if the process goes wrong or takes too long
• Increasing protection of citizens in emergency situations, including ensuring the provision of more accurate caller location, broadening emergency communications from voice only to text and video, ensuring accessibility in line with the European Accessibility Act and establishing a system to transmit public warnings on mobile phones

Analysis of relevant markets

The Code also promoted the development of the internal market and competition, in the delivery of electronic communication networks and associated facilities. In support of these objectives, national authorities regularly analysed relevant markets. The aim was to support the development of pro-competitive markets by applying the well-established significant market power (SMP) framework. The market reviews were conducted in a transparent manner to ensure consistency of ex ante regulation in the EU (through the consultation process at national and EU levels). The objective was to apply the specific market regulation only when it is strictly necessary, maintaining a competitive and investment-friendly regulatory environment to the benefit of the consumer. Find the latest market overview.