EU Parliament draft demands pan-European licences for new mobile bands

A draft European Parliament report on the Digital Networks Act (DNA) proposes that part of every newly harmonised mobile spectrum band be assigned at EU level, through an award restricted to operators meeting "strict resilience and sovereignty criteria". The report, compiled for Parliament's Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) committee and made available this week, also raises the minimum term for limited-duration licences from 40 to 50 years and would let the European Commission cap national reserve prices.

Under a new Article 22a, the Commission would decide how much of each new band to set aside, then run an auction or comparable process to select "one or more undertakings, satisfying strict resilience and sovereignty criteria". Winners would hold a single licence valid across all 27 member states, on identical conditions everywhere, and would be obliged to offer wholesale access.

This goes well beyond the Commission's January DNA proposal, which only allowed the new Radio Spectrum Policy Body to consider whether an EU-level award made sense. The draft report deletes that wording and also removes the Commission's planned one-stop shop for multi-country spectrum applications. The pan-EU award replaces both instruments.

Why now? Satellite meets mobile

The report links its proposal directly to convergence between satellite and terrestrial networks. It notes that a global satellite operator has bought "large amounts of mobile spectrum" since 2025 to offer services directly to consumers, and that in May 2026 the Commission proposed an EU-level selection procedure for the 2 GHz mobile satellite band. The reference is understood to concern SpaceX's spectrum acquisitions.

"Satellite and mobile are now competing for the same customers and the same scarce spectrum," the report states.

National regulators are unlikely to accept this without a fight. The Radio Spectrum Policy Group said in its June Opinion that EU-wide terrestrial licences "are not part of the 6G roadmap" and would "add little value and could even be detrimental to Europe's digital transformation".

What does the report change for licence terms and fees?

The draft treats spectrum as "an investment asset rather than a source of revenue for public budgets". It backs licences with no end date, reviewed after a market analysis no earlier than 20 years after award, then at most every 15 years.

Fixed-term licences, where chosen, would run at least 50 years, up from 40. Renewal would be automatic and indefinite if requested five years before expiry; a regulator seeking refusal would have to give notice at least three years in advance.

On fees, regulators must favour coverage and densification obligations over upfront payments. Upfront charges would be permitted only where the regulator can show no harm to investment and "significant macro-economic long-term advantages for the society". Commission guidance on annual fees and reserve prices would become binding, and Brussels could impose a ceiling on national reserve prices. That clashes with the RSPG position that fee-setting is "the competence of Member States".

Veto narrowed, awards accelerated

The report limits the Commission's proposed veto over national awards, criticised by both BEREC and the RSPG. Blocking would now require a "serious violation", although the Commission could scrutinise more elements, including coverage obligations and adherence to the common EU reserve-price method.

New mobile bands would have to be licensed within 18 months of EU harmonisation, down from 24. Regulators could mandate small-cell rollout, with "at least half the densification cost" offset by lower upfront fees.

The planned EU spectrum-sharing database is dropped, its benefits deemed not to justify the cost. Regulators could still block a spectrum sale or lease on national security grounds.

Satellite provisions and next steps

Satellite spectrum would be managed by the Commission "in cooperation with Member States" rather than alone, answering a core RSPG objection. Satellite bands would fall under general authorisation, removing the need for individual licences in most cases.

Member states would jointly protect Europe's ITU satellite filings and act against "speculative or anti-competitive" filings, with powers to force a transfer. Selling a filing, including via takeover, would need national approval, plus Commission approval where harmonised spectrum is involved. Satellites could use terrestrial mobile spectrum only "to complement terrestrial services", and only with the mobile licence holder's consent.

SpaceX/Starlink, Eutelsat, GSOA, GSMA Europe, Connect Europe and the US Mission to the EU are listed among contributors to the report. ITRE members will table amendments before a committee vote planned for November 2026, after which Parliament negotiates a final text with the Council; the Irish Presidency's first partial compromise of 16 October does not yet cover spectrum and satellite.