The European fixed broadband market is experiencing strong growth, yet major alternative providers across the continent have raised urgent concerns over new European Commission (EC) proposals to loosen regulations on legacy fixed-line operators. In an open letter, leaders from companies such as Bouygues Telecom, Vodafone Group, Colt Technology Services, Eurofiber, Fastweb, iliad Group, Open Fiber, CK Hutchison Group Telecom, and 1&1 AG cautioned that reducing regulatory oversight could undermine competition and deter investment, especially as the industry transitions from copper to fibre infrastructure.

For years, Europe's regulatory environment has supported consumer choice, innovation, and new market entrants by ensuring a level playing field in broadband infrastructure. The executives noted that unlike mobile networks, fixed access to essential infrastructure such as ducts and poles remains a natural monopoly across much of the EU and can't be easily replicated. The group warned that relaxing rules for former monopoly providers could lead to increasing dominance, particularly in rural and underserved regions, and slow the roll-out of high-speed, gigabit-capable broadband for millions.

The letter argues that moving away from the current ex-ante regulatory model or removing all markets from the EC's Recommendation on Relevant Markets would lower regulatory certainty, threatening private investment of billions of euros and potentially suppressing service uptake and network innovation. This, they argue, could jeopardize the EU's Digital Decade 2030 targets for widespread, high-speed connectivity.

The signatories called upon the EC to maintain a predictable regulatory framework based on principles such as fair competition, guaranteed infrastructure access, and completing critical initiatives like the Digital Networks Act before making further changes. Their statement concludes that Europe's digital future depends on regulatory balance, warning that without it, the EU risks falling behind global competitors and stalling both productivity and innovation. The group urges close collaboration between the Commission, industry, and national regulators to ensure the ongoing success of Europe's broadband market.