21 January 2026 Brussels, Belgium
The European Commission published today its long-awaited proposal for a Digital Networks Act (DNA). Once adopted, this regulation will serve as the primary EU legal framework for telecommunications, including emergency communications. The text intends to “modernise, simplify and harmonise EU rules on connectivity networks”.
For emergency communications and public warning, the regulation largely keeps the obligations already set out in the European Electronic Communications Code and its Delegated Regulation and further clarifies them. At a time when large-scale disruptions are becoming more common, the proposal puts a strong emphasis on ensuring access to 112 at all times, including clearer expectations for preparedness of networks and PSAPs, with mandatory testing and validation of solutions before significant network changes are implemented. The proposal also includes a new explicit ability for PSAPs to call back end-users, clearer provisions to guarantee emergency access for roaming users and stronger obligations on transnational emergency communications.
EENA welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for a Digital Networks Act, which largely reflects the issues EENA has consistently raised with EU institutions in recent years, as well as the priorities highlighted in last July’s response to the European Commission’s call for evidence. The proposal is a step forward both in bringing more legal clarity to key obligations and in strengthening the resilience of emergency communications and public warning, so that 112 can be relied on when networks are under pressure. As EENA Executive Director Gary Machado noted, “The Digital Networks Act goes in the right direction. It echoes many of the improvements EENA and its members have called for, but some provisions will still need clarification to avoid unintended consequences”. EENA will therefore engage with the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to support targeted improvements and clarifications that enable consistent implementation across Member States and to ensure these do not undermine public safety in emergencies.
The text released today is only a proposal published by the European Commission. The European Parliament (representing EU citizens) and the Council of the European Union (representing the Member States’ governments) can now propose amendments to the text and must eventually adopt the same wording of the regulation. This process usually takes a few years. Once adopted, the regulation will repeal the European Electronic Communications Code.
Understand the main parts of the text
To get a better understanding of all the expected changes, EENA has prepared a document listing all the main provisions in the Digital Networks Act related to 112, emergency communications and public warning.
Access the document here (Members only).
In addition, to help better understand the text, EENA will hold on 29 January a public webinar to explain how elements of the Digital Networks Act may shape emergency communications in the future. This webinar will be followed by a series of members-only web meetings.
Read full proposal as well as the European Commission’s announcement of the Digital Network Act here.
