Jurisdiction(s):
European Union

EU Electronic Communications Code: scope, OTT coverage, authorisation, spectrum, access, SMP and remedies; universal service; NIS 2 security changes; potential repeal by the proposed Digital Networks Act

Published by a LexisNexis EU Law expert

Practice notes

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STOP PRESS: This Practice Note reflects the current legislative position. However, the Commission published a proposal on 21 January 2026 for a Digital Networks Act that may repeal the European Electronic Communications Code. To follow the Digital Networks Act’s progress through the EU legislative process, see Practice Note: Media, digital and telecoms tracker—EU.

This Practice Note provides guidance on Directive (EU) 2018/1972 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (Recast), commonly known as the European Electronic Communications Code and, in this note, the EECC. The EECC recasts and brings together the principal directives that originally made up the EU‑wide framework for regulating electronic communications networks (ECNs) and electronic communications services (ECSs).

The aim of the European Electronic Communications Code

The EECC is a directive with the central objective of creating an updated and harmonised EU‑wide regime for the regulation of ECNs and ECSs.

The previous EU telecoms regulatory framework (comprising Directive 2002/21/EC (the EU Framework Directive), Directive 2002/19/EC (the EU Access Directive), Directive 2002/22/EC (the EU Universal Service Directive), Directive 2002/20/EC (the EU Authorisation Directive) and Directive 2002/58/EC (the EU ePrivacy Directive)) pursued objectives to promote competition and the internal market...

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Francesco Liberatore

Squire Patton Boggs

Francesco regularly represents clients in investigations before regulatory and competition authorities, as well as managing internal investigations, dawn raids and counseling on compliance issues and various commercial agreements. Francesco handles merger control due diligence and filings, as well as coordinating multijurisdictional merger control strategies. He also advises private equity investors, banks and other financial investors on arbitrage opportunities. Francesco’s litigation experience includes representing clients in matters before the Competition Appeal Tribunal, the High Court of Justice and the European Courts. Francesco is dual qualified in England/Wales and Italy. He has authored several legal publications, including the "International Telecommunications Law Handbook" (Juris Publishing) and the "EU Electronic Communications Code Handbook" (Bloomsbury Professional). Francesco is recommended as a leading practitioner in Chambers & Partners, The Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal. Clients describe him as “thoroughly efficient and helpful throughout”, “a true master of...

James Konidaris

Special Counsel, Squire Patton Boggs

James Konidaris has extensive legal and regulatory experience in communications and technology, spanning Australia, the UK, Europe and the Middle East. James advises on a broad range of regulatory, policy and commercial matters, including international and multijurisdictional advice and transactions, advising global companies in the IT, communications, financial services and automotive sectors, as well as regulatory authorities and not-for-profit organisations. He works closely with communications regulatory authorities on major projects to draft laws, regulations and other regulatory instruments. In addition, James advises various private equity, private lending and real estate investment firms, as well as various technology and manufacturing companies on Australia’s foreign investment regulatory framework, ensuring a seamless entry to the Australian market. James is Co-Vice President of the Australian Chapter of the International Institute of Communications. He is also co-author of the EU Electronic Communications Code Handbook (Bloomsbury...

Web page updated on 27/05/2026

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