Spectrum Coexistence
European Commission’s Digital Networks Act to restructure European telecom regulations with indefinite duration spectrum licenses
The European Commission’s forthcoming Digital Networks Act (DNA) aims to restructure the regulatory framework for the telecommunications sector in Europe to stimulate investment. The act indicates the European Commission is avoiding a mandatory levy system or new enforceable duties specifically targeting major tech firms. Instead, the proposal advocates for a voluntary cooperation framework where the largest online providers would engage in discussions moderated by the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), which comprises national telecom regulators.
A key component of this revamp, outlined in a draft document reviewed by Reuters, includes the potential allocation of lucrative radio spectrum licenses to telecom providers for an indefinite duration. The proposed legislation, scheduled for presentation by EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen on January 20th, suggests that licenses without time limits could foster a more functional secondary market for spectrum trading and leasing.
To prevent spectrum hoarding, EU regulators have suggested implementing “use-it-or-share-it or lose-it” conditions and specific roll-out obligations, ensuring the resource remains actively utilized and accessible to efficient competitors. The document said: “Spectrum usage rights shall be in principle granted for an unlimited duration….Sufficiently long duration of rights of use of radio spectrum should increase investment predictability to contribute to faster network roll-out and better services, as well as stability to support radio spectrum trading and leasing.”
The draft Digital Networks Act also addresses market dominance by suggesting that companies identified as having significant market power in one specific market could also be designated as such in closely related markets. This designation would subject them to stringent obligations, including enhanced transparency, non-discrimination requirements, and potentially price controls, cost accounting, or accounting separation.
This cooperative approach aligns with the Commission’s prior stance on “network fees.” A July 2025 policy analysis concluded that mandating large online platforms to pay network fees was not a viable mechanism for financing 5G and broadband infrastructure deployment. Nonetheless, the reported DNA draft introduces measures that could significantly impact telecom operators and national regulators. These include addressing spectrum license durations, sales conditions, and a proposed pricing methodology intended to guide national regulators during spectrum auctions—a sensitive area for member states given the substantial revenues generated by these auctions. Furthermore, the text is expected to provide EU-level guidance on fiber infrastructure rollout. A noted element is flexibility regarding the 2030 objective for replacing legacy copper networks; governments may be granted deadline extensions if they can demonstrate a lack of readiness.
Advocates for stronger EU harmonization argue that a unified market is essential for creating viable pan-European investment models, particularly for high-capacity fixed networks and future mobile technologies. Industry groups have consistently called for longer, more predictable spectrum licensing and consistent award conditions across the EU, arguing that national divergences impede deployment and escalate costs.
Critics of increased centralization caution that the DNA could facilitate a transfer of powers away from national regulators and governments.
The Reuters reporting suggests some national regulators may perceive the Commission’s planned interventions in spectrum policy and rollout guidance as a “power grab,” as spectrum management has traditionally remained a core national competence within the existing EU framework. Civil society organizations have raised concerns that attempts to restructure telecom market rules might compromise net neutrality principles or encourage commercial agreements that influence traffic management practices.
The DNA proposal is set against the backdrop of recent major EU digital legislation, including the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA). To avoid repeating US criticism that EU rules disproportionately target US-based tech companies, the DNA appears designed to place the largest platforms within a cooperative, rather than compulsory, regime, while focusing binding measures on the connectivity sector’s regulatory architecture.
For large online services, the voluntary framework presents questions regarding incentives and enforcement. While a “best practices” code moderated by regulators can facilitate technical dialogue on issues like network resilience and traffic management, it inherently lacks hard obligations or penalties for non-compliance. Upon official publication, the Commission’s proposal will enter the EU’s ordinary legislative procedure. Core points of contention—including the balance between EU coordination and national discretion on spectrum, and the scope of any obligations placed on large digital firms—will be negotiated by member states in the Council and the European Parliament in the coming months.
If the reported draft details are confirmed, the Digital Networks Act signifies a strategic pivot: moving away from compelling Big Tech to directly finance networks and towards reshaping the existing telecom rulebook, spectrum practices, and infrastructure targets to unlock investment. The legislative negotiations will determine whether this combination is sufficient to accelerate infrastructure deployment without reigniting net neutrality disputes or national sovereignty arguments.
A July 2025 joint statement by consumer and civil society groups urged the Commission to preserve robust net neutrality within the DNA and voiced concerns regarding proposals linked to the “fair share” debate, including ideas for dispute-resolution systems between telecom operators and online services. Hence, Europe’s commitment to the principle of net neutrality is reaffirmed, mandating equal treatment for all Internet traffic by operators, a stance maintained despite industry calls for a less restrictive regulatory environment.
References:
https://eutoday.net/digital-networks-act-draft/
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InterDigital led consortium to advance wireless spectrum coexistence & sharing
InterDigital, Inc, a mobile, video and AI technology research and development company, was awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of War (DoW) to lead research and conduct demonstrations of advanced spectrum coexistence for civil and military applications. Spectrum sharing optimizes the use of the airwaves, or wireless communications channels, by enabling multiple categories of users to safely share the same frequency bands.
A consortium led by InterDigital, including DeepSig, Skylark Wireless, Virginia Tech, and Radisys, will endeavor to advance spectrum coexistence. The collaboration will focus on developing and testing new technologies that leverage artificial intelligence, advanced sensing, and commercial 5G systems. The need for this work stems from the high demand for mid-band frequencies, which are essential for both defense radar and commercial wireless applications due to their balance of coverage and capacity. The goal is to enhance dynamic spectrum sharing performance, ensuring national security radar systems can function without interference while enabling commercial 5G to operate in the same frequency bands.
The consortium plans to develop new technologies that will enable government and industry systems to “more seamlessly coexist.” Examples are given as low-latency AI-based distributed spectrum sensing and interference mitigation operations performed locally at cellular base stations and user equipment.
“InterDigital’s heritage of research has produced innovations that make it possible for radar and communications to coexist in ways that were not feasible,” said InterDigital CTO Rajesh Pankaj. “Building on our groundbreaking work in sensing and AI integration, we can foster greater collaboration between government and industry to achieve more efficient sharing of one of our most valuable resources. We look forward to working with the DoW and alongside these esteemed partners and suppliers.”
“DeepSig is proud to support the DoW and InterDigital in advancing dynamic spectrum sharing technologies,” said DeepSig CEO Jim Shea. “Our AI-native spectrum sensing and communications software was developed to help meet this need and brings the speed, accuracy and adaptability needed to ensure that critical defense systems and commercial 5G networks can safely and efficiently coexist. This project represents an important step toward unlocking the full potential of mid-band spectrum for both national security and next-generation connectivity, and offers to help unlock future band-sharing for 6G and beyond.”
Skylark Director of Business Development & Product Samir Rahi added: “Skylark is pleased to have been selected as a collaborator for the DoW and InterDigital’s coalition of US-based partners to support dynamic spectrum-sharing solutions. This activity builds upon Skylark’s prior success in related DoW programs. Specifically, our flexible architecture for last-mile connectivity is designed to integrate best-of-breed technologies in real-time, from partners such as InterDigital and DeepSig, at the pace of innovation required to support national interests. Skylark believes the DoW’s initiatives such as this represent the United States’ emerging capabilities in deploying dynamic spectrum-sharing at scale, providing dual use benefits for the commercial sector while simultaneously advancing national security objectives.”
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This project will leverage InterDigital’s proven foundational dynamic spectrum sharing technologies, which have been successfully demonstrated in commercial deployments and validated through prior government initiatives. The team will build upon this baseline with new and innovative technologies, including low-latency AI-based distributed spectrum sensing and interference mitigation operations performed locally at cellular base stations and user equipment. These new technologies will enable government and industry systems to more seamlessly coexist.
Image Credit: Blue Planet Studio SHUTTERSTOCK
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About InterDigital®
InterDigital is a global research and development company focused primarily on wireless, video, artificial intelligence (“AI”), and related technologies. We design and develop foundational technologies that enable connected, immersive experiences in a broad range of communications and entertainment products and services. We license our innovations worldwide to companies providing such products and services, including makers of wireless communications devices, consumer electronics, IoT devices, cars and other motor vehicles, and providers of cloud-based services such as video streaming. As a leader in wireless technology, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of innovations that are used in wireless products and networks, from the earliest digital cellular systems to 5G and today’s most advanced Wi-Fi technologies. We are also a leader in video processing and video encoding/decoding technology, with a significant AI research effort that intersects with both wireless and video technologies. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on Nasdaq.
InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc.
For more information, visit: www.interdigital.com.
InterDigital Contact:Roya StephensEmail: [email protected] +1 (202) 349-1714
About DeepSig, Inc.DeepSig is a pioneer in AI native wireless communications which are helping to shape 6G. Its transformative technology pushes the boundaries of spectrum sensing, wireless performance and network capabilities. Drawing on its expertise in deep learning, wireless systems and signal processing, DeepSig’s AI/ML-powered software enhances security, efficiency and capacity for tactical and commercial wireless communications in licensed or shared radio spectrum and in existing 5G Open RAN or AI native next generation 6G networks.
For more information, visit: https://www.deepsig.ai/
DeepSig Contact: [email protected]
About Skylark Wireless
Skylark Wireless is building the interface between the physical and digital worlds by connecting industrial, enterprise, and public sector customers through a dynamic, converged communications platform. The company designs and manufactures US-assembled critical infrastructure for last-mile connectivity that combines patented techniques to improve range, performance, and interference mitigation with a fully software-defined radio architecture. This fusion of efficiency and flexibility uniquely supports an ever-growing collection of value-add use cases as networks evolve from 5G to 6G and beyond. To learn more about Skylark’s connectivity solution, please contact [email protected]
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Other Spectrum Activities:
- Earlier in 2025, the GSMA’s global 5G spectrum landscape stated mid-band remains the backbone of 5G deployments, while interest in both low-band and mmWave “continues to evolve in line with network strategies and future 6G planning.”
- ITU-R WP 5D develops the methodologies for carrying out sharing and coexistence studies between IMT and other radio services, such as broadcasting and satellite services. These studies address issues like potential interference and define separation criteria and technical conditions for coexistence.
- WP 5D’s work also addresses the evolution of spectrum management to incorporate more efficient techniques like dynamic spectrum access (DSA).
- As part of its process, WP 5D collaborates with and receives input from various external organizations, research communities, and other ITU-R Working Parties. This collaborative approach ensures that the spectrum management and coexistence frameworks for IMT systems are robust and informed by diverse perspectives.
References:
InterDigital to Lead Research and Demonstrate Advanced Spectrum Coexistence; DeepSig to Partner
https://www.nist.gov/spectrum-sharing
Why Spectrum Sharing is Critical for the Future of Connectivity
mmWave Coalition on the need for very high frequency spectrum; DSA on dynamic spectrum sharing in response to NSF RFI
Big 5G Conference: 6G spectrum sharing should learn from CBRS experiences
