BEREC Workshop on Copper Switch-off and Digital Networks Act

BEREC Latest News

Published February 24th, 2026

Detected March 13th, 2026

Summary

BEREC announced a workshop on March 17, 2026, to discuss the implications of the proposed Digital Networks Act on copper switch-off and market competition. The workshop will bring together regulators and stakeholders to examine challenges and share reflections on the proposed legislation.

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What changed

BEREC, the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications, has announced a public workshop scheduled for March 17, 2026, focusing on the migration to fibre networks and the switch-off of copper infrastructure in light of the proposed EU Digital Networks Act (DNA). The workshop aims to address how to preserve market competition during and after the copper switch-off, challenges faced by end-users, and initial reflections on the proposed DNA, which seeks to accelerate the transition to fibre networks and meet EU 2030 connectivity targets.

Regulated entities, particularly telecommunications firms, should note the upcoming workshop as it signals a significant regulatory focus on the copper switch-off process and its competitive implications. While the workshop itself is an informational event, the discussions and reflections on the proposed DNA are crucial for understanding future regulatory directions. Participants are invited to register by March 13, 2026, for online attendance, as in-person capacity has been reached.

What to do next

Register for the BEREC workshop by March 13, 2026, for online participation.
Review the proposed Digital Networks Act for potential impacts on copper switch-off strategies.
Monitor discussions and outcomes from the workshop regarding market competition and end-user protection during network migration.

Source document (simplified)

24 February 2026

BEREC workshop on copper switch-off in light of the Digital Networks Act

The migration to fibre networks and the switch-off of copper infrastructure have become one of the key priorities for BEREC in recent years. This regulatory focus has gained further momentum with the European Commission (EC) proposal for a Digital Networks Act (DNA), presented in January 2026. It introduces significant changes to the rules on migration and copper switch-off to facilitate and accelerate the transition to fibre networks. The success of this process will be crucial for Europe to achieve its 2030 connectivity targets and to deliver high-capacity, future-proof digital infrastructure across the Union.

As migration progresses across EU Member States, maintaining competitive dynamics throughout the switch-off process is essential. Experience in countries where the transition is already well advanced demonstrates that copper switch-off can have significant implications for market structure and competition. Safeguarding effective competition, while ensuring a smooth and inclusive transition for all end-users, remains a key regulatory challenge.

To explore these issues, BEREC will host a public workshop on 17 March 2026, bringing together national regulators, industry stakeholders and other experts. The workshop will:

Examine how to preserve market competition during and after the copper switch-off;
Address challenges faced by different categories of end-users;
Share initial reflections on the proposed DNA;
Presentation from the EC on the proposed rules governing migration and switch-off.

Workshop information

Date: Tuesday, 17 March 2026

Time: 09:15–17:00 CET

Location: IRG Secretariat, Rue de la Science 14A, Brussels, and online

Interested participants are invited to register by 13 March 2026. Please note that in-person attendance is no longer available, as the meeting room's capacity has been reached. Registration remains open for online participation. Connection details will be shared with registered participants ahead of the event.

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