The boxes, wires and wireless connectivity that makes everything run.
If Europe wants to compete with the US and China on AI, stanch market share losses to China’s state-sponsored champions, and improve broadband connectivity, it needs to ensure that it gets its “Rip & Replace" policy right, and right now.
Poland's feud with SpaceX over Starlink pricing posed reputational risks to SpaceX in Eastern Europe; however, Poland's reinstatement to the European region for Starlink roaming services ended speculation that the previous move was targeted at Ukraine.
As the EU discusses proposals for the Digital Networks Act (DNA), opinions on future spectrum policy are divided.
On July 1, Ireland takes the helm of the Council of the EU with 68 "priorities" spanning competitiveness, values, and security.
The European Commission's goal of tripling the EU’s data center market within 5 to 7 years would not be possible without intrusive market engineering, and CADA does exactly that.
The EU’s tech sovereignty plans are moving forward, but foundational debates persist.
Siemens warned that EU regulations are driving industrial giants toward the US and China. As the "Trump Effect" lures factories away with tax cuts and deregulation, Europe faces a high-stakes choice regarding data rules and the chip dilemma of speed vs. sovereignty.
The Commission’s revised Cybersecurity Act may face resistance from China-friendly Member States and telecom operators, who warn of high compliance and vendor-switch costs and seek public reimbursement.
Ukraine and SpaceX announced they have found a way to prevent Russian armed forces from using Starlink, while Russian propagandists reacted harshly - not only toward SpaceX, but toward Palantir too. Meanwhile, communications from two European satellites were intercepted by Russian spacecraft.
At ITRE, EVP Henna Virkkunen pitched the Digital Networks Act. The DNA's Articles 191–193 revive fears of de facto network fees, and S&D’s Mattias Ecke pressed for safeguards. The Commission offered little clarity and hinted it could later “revise” the mechanism.
The Commission’s draft Digital Networks Act would replace the 2018 EECC and reopen old fights: less national control over spectrum, a costly copper switch-off by 2035, and a “voluntary” conciliation backdoor that could revive de facto network fees.
2026 is the EU’s digital “set-up” year: a time to simplify rules, set priorities, and brace for transatlantic spillovers as major legislative initiatives race toward 2027.
Analysis of EU innovation, consumer and tech policy
![Poland's feud with SpaceX over Starlink pricing poses a risk to SpaceX itself [updated]](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/88/4c88cde4-b826-4a2d-9b28-b1b6d036ddb7/content/images/size/w960/format/webp/2026/10/polands-feud-with-spacex.jpg)
