Europe’s digital infrastructure: Regulatory headwinds stall ambitions

Industry groups say Europe’s digital infrastructure plans are running into its own rulebook. As Brussels pushes new telecoms regulation, the GSMA – which represents mobile operators – warns that current proposals risk widening the investment gap between Europe and other regions.

The group argues that tougher rules will slow network upgrades, including 5G and future technologies, and raise compliance costs for operators already under pressure. For companies planning long-term operations in Europe, that could mean slower modernisation of networks and more complex regulatory obligations to factor into investment decisions.