The European Commission is moving forward with a proposed Digital Networks Act (DNA) that would significantly reform EU telecommunications regulation, potentially replacing or heavily supplementing the existing European Electronic Communications Code (EECC). According to an analysis published on 20 January 2026 by law firms Taylor Wessing and Covington & Burling, the DNA is part of a broader “Digital Omnibus” effort that also touches privacy rules like the GDPR and the e‑Privacy Directive.

What is the Digital Networks Act?

The DNA aims to modernize the regulatory framework for telecom networks in the EU. It could introduce new rules on:

  • Contributions from large content platforms to network infrastructure funding (the “network fees” debate).
  • Stricter security baselines for telecom operators and cloud providers.
  • Cross-border data access by authorities, with implications for digital sovereignty.

Cybersecurity and Cross-Border Data Access: 2026 as a Pivotal Year

Alongside the DNA, an in-depth evaluation of the EECC is planned, as well as an update to the EU’s Cybersecurity Act framework. These changes will impose enhanced requirements on operators for resilience, incident reporting, and risk management. Rules on lawful cross-border access to data may also be redefined, affecting information flows between the EU and third countries.

Why Morocco Matters

Moroccan telecom operators and cloud providers are heavily interconnected with European networks. Any shift in EU standards will indirectly shape technical, security, and contractual expectations for traffic between Morocco and the EU. For Moroccan regulators working on new digital-sector laws, the DNA and updated EU cyber rules offer a preview of where global best practice may be heading, particularly on resilience and incident reporting.

What to Watch Next

The EU legislative process is ongoing, and texts can change. Moroccan businesses with European operations or partnerships should closely monitor the network-fee debates and security obligations. Negotiations on cross-border data access could also influence future Morocco-EU discussions on data protection.

Source: Taylor Wessing and Covington & Burling analysis, “Telecommunications law and regulation 2026,” published 20 January 2026. Link to original article.