Recommendations for updating the Digital Decade on the Network Layer

This document is based on an analysis of, inter alia, the State of the Digital Decade 2024 report[1], the Draghi report[2], the Competitiveness Compass[3], the EuroStack report[4], and the White Paper on Defence Readiness 2030[5] (including ReArm Europe and SAFE – Security Action for Europe). Recommendations for international cooperation to update the Digital Decade were derived from this analysis.

The network layer consists of telecoms networks including submarine cables and satellite systems, and the core of the Internet such as domain name management and Internet protocols (EuroStack). The network layer is increasingly becoming the subject of concerns about resilience, economic security and strategic autonomy in wider sense.

There is a need to strengthen the next phase of Digital Decade policy as regards the network layer as a critical infrastructure of advanced and secure connectivity that is essential for competitiveness and security.

On the one hand, the Digital Decade 2024 report shows that meeting the 2030 targets (KPIs) appears feasible for 5G, FTTP, and VHCN. The related Staff Working Document[6] states: "As regards the roll-out of 5G networks, the EU, is after a late start, also closing the gap with leading countries such as South Korea and the US.".

On the other hand, the Staff Working Document also identifies open issues: "As regards the roll-out of 5G networks, the EU, is after a late start, also closing the gap with leading countries such as South Korea and the US. However, there are issues regarding the quality of 5G networks as well as major discrepancies within the EU, with 5G coverage rates ranging between 20% and 100%."

It adds that "EU's connectivity infrastructure is not sufficient to address the current and future challenges of the data-driven society and economy and the future needs of all end users. […] the sector is faced with the need to transform itself in a context of converging connectivity infrastructure with cloud and edge computing capabilities and digital services in key economic sectors, such as the Industrial Internet of Things and AI applications." 

Moreover, "higher quality of service and additional functionalities are still needed in order to meet the demand for more advanced 5G services and to achieve the computing continuum that includes connectivity, cloud/AI and the Internet of Things (IoT)", that is a 3C Network for Connected Collaborative Computing" as in the EC White Paper for the Digital Networks Act[7].

Recent EU policy on submarine cables (internet, electricity) responds to the geopolitical situation, following severe incidents with Russia and China the suspected perpetrators. The most recent is an Action Plan to enhance the security of these cables[8].

An important element is enhanced civil-military cooperation. It has been argued that civil-military and cross-sector cooperation is urgently necessary for telecoms and energy networks[9].

The Draghi report and the White Paper on the DNA argue the need to step up investment in networks. EuroStack also argues the need to upgrade the architecture of the Internet itself for enhanced trust and resilience.

Networks cannot be seen in isolation nor as a purely infrastructural topic as evident from the growing attention to cross-sectoral and civil-military cooperation; competitiveness based on 5G networks in industry and services of general interest; integration with IoT, AI and quantum technologies.

Networks are critical infrastructures not only in terms of resilience but more generally for EU strategic autonomy, that is for competitiveness, economic and national/EU security and democracy.

Below is a summary of our most important recommendations, based on the reports referenced, complemented by our own insights. Where possible KPIs for 2030 are added:

Increasing strategic autonomy[10]

• Pursue network sovereignty; from network equipment, mobile and fixed networks incl undersea cables, and satellite systems, to DNS; suggested KPI for 2030 is that all MS have twice performed a network strategic autonomy check.
• Strengthen EU telecom competitiveness, security, and sustainability through harmonized and simplified regulation, strategic investments, and cross-stack synergies; suggested KPI 2030 is as per the Competitiveness Compass assessment.

Safeguarding resilience & security[11]

• Put in place regular resilience exercises that are cross-sectoral, civil-military, and cross-national in the EU, supported by EU such as in an EDIC; suggested KPI for 2030 is that all Member States have done at least 2 such exercises.
• Promote internet architectures that deliver enhanced trust and resilience, notably SCION.
• Fully implement the 5G Security Recommendation and its Toolbox; the suggested KPI for 2030 is that in no Member State network equipment is used from untrusted suppliers.

Meeting investment needs[12]

• Meet the telecom network investment needs through the Digital Networks Act and civil-military synergies; suggested KPI 2030 is that the investment gap is eliminated.

Stepping up deployment[13]

• Promote edge cloud integration in 5G rollouts, aligning with EU cloud layer actions. Position telecoms as a key consumer of semiconductors, applied AI, and secure quantum communications.

Leveraging public procurement[14]

• Establish shared public procurement specifications under a Quantum Act for secure quantum communications, to encourage the early adoption of EU-developed quantum solutions. suggested KPI 2030 are common specifications across the EU.

Promoting R&D, pilots[15]

• Execute large-scale pilots for standalone industrial 5G networks integrated with edge cloud technologies to achieve low latency and high availability. suggested KPI 20230 is that these have been put in place in 80% of industrial hubs.

References

Bria, Francesca, Paul Timmers, and Fausto Gernone. 'EuroStack – A European Alternative for Digital Sovereignty', 2025, 127 p. https://doi.org/10.11586/2025006.

EC and EEAS. 'Commission and the High Representative Present Strong Actions to Enhance Security of Submarine Cables | Shaping Europe's Digital Future', 21 February 2025. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-and-high-representative-present-strong-actions-enhance-security-submarine-cables.

European Commission. 'Competitiveness Compass', 29 January 2025. https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness_en.

———. 'Next Steps on Cybersecurity of 5G Networks in Complement to Latest Progress Report by Member States', 15 June 2023. https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/ECCC/items/791557/.

———. 'Report on the State of the Digital Decade 2024 | Shaping Europe's Digital Future', 2 July 2024. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/report-state-digital-decade-2024.

———. 'Staff Working Document Digital Decade 2024: Implementation and Perspective | Shaping Europe's Digital Future', 2 July 2024. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/digital-decade-2024-implementation-and-perspective.

———. 'White Paper - How to Master Europe's Digital Infrastructure Needs? | Shaping Europe's Digital Future', 21 February 2024. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/white-paper-how-master-europes-digital-infrastructure-needs.

———. 'White Paper on the Future of European Defence - Rearming Europe; Security Action for Europe - SAFE Regulation; Increase Defence Expenditure within the Stability and Growth Pact - European Commission', 19 March 2025. https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/white-paper-future-european-defence-rearming-europe_en.

Georg Serentschy. 'Digital Networks Resilience and Security, Policy Implications and Mitigation Measures - Summary', 13 January 2024.

Mario Draghi. 'The Future of European Competitiveness – A Competitiveness Strategy for Europe', 9 September 2024. https://commission.europa.eu/topics/strengthening-european-competitiveness/eu-competitiveness-looking-ahead_en.

Paul Timmers. 'Telecoms Resilience and Security'. In The Future of European Telecommunications: In-Depth Analysis, 118–65. CERRE, 2024. https://cerre.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CERRE_The-Future-of-European-Telecommunications-In-depth-Analysis_FINAL.pdf 

1 European Commission, 'Report on the State of the Digital Decade 2024 | Shaping Europe's Digital Future'.

2 Mario Draghi, 'The Future of European Competitiveness – A Competitiveness Strategy for Europe'.

3 European Commission, 'Competitiveness Compass'.

4 Bria, Timmers, and Gernone, 'EuroStack – A European Alternative for Digital Sovereignty'.

5 European Commission, 'White Paper on the Future of European Defence - Rearming Europe; Security Action for Europe - SAFE Regulation; Increase Defence Expenditure within the Stability and Growth Pact - European Commission'.

6 European Commission, 'Digital Decade 2024'. 

7 European Commission, 'White Paper - How to Master Europe's Digital Infrastructure Needs?'

8 EC and EEAS, 'Commission and the High Representative Present Strong Actions to Enhance Security of Submarine Cables | Shaping Europe's Digital Future'.

9 Georg Serentschy, 'Digital Networks Resilience and Security, Policy Implications and Mitigation Measures - Summary'; Paul Timmers, 'Telecoms Resilience and Security'.

10 EuroStack, Competitiveness Compass.