Brussels, 5th of June 2025 – MVNO Europe calls on European Commission to put competition first in telecoms overhaul
MVNO Europe expresses concern following the press briefing of European Commission Executive Vice-President (EVP) Stéphane Séjourné on 20 May 2025[1], during which he advocated for a consolidation of the telecom sector around a limited number of larger players capable of competing internationally.
The misleading association between the number of operators and the European telecom sector’s performance ignores the real levers of competitiveness. Instead of dismantling the pro-competitive features of the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications, the EU should double down on enabling a true Digital Single Market. The upcoming Digital Networks Act (DNA) provides a crucial opportunity to do just that. By removing regulatory and market fragmentation, the DNA can empower companies, large and small, to scale across borders, foster innovation, and unlock pan-European growth.
In this light, MVNO Europe particularly welcomes the remarks made by EVP Henna Virkkunen in her interview with Euractiv on 27 May 2025[2], acknowledging, in the context of the DNA, that “not only size matters”.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are, in fact, a perfect illustration of small operators outperforming larger ones when it comes to serving specific customer needs. Some of the most striking examples can be seen in the automotive sector, where IoT MVNOs have been selected by major car manufacturers through rigorous Request for Quotation (RFQ) processes, prevailing over large Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). These successes are not accidental — they are the result of focused investment by MVNOs in dedicated service platforms that allow them to offer customised, reliable, and value-driven connectivity solutions.
At the same time, MVNO Europe highlights the contradictory stance of Europe’s largest MNOs, who are actively lobbying for regulatory relief and more consolidation at EU level while simultaneously refusing network access to MVNOs in national markets. This strategy is clearly motivated by a desire to eliminate competition and reinforce oligopolistic positions. Policymakers should be wary: deregulation and consolidation pushed by those seeking to protect market dominance is not a recipe for competitiveness — it’s a barrier to it.
As advocated by Member States in their December 2024 conclusions[3], “consolidation should be assessed by the relevant authorities taking into consideration its potential impact to maintain and develop effective competition in the relevant market”.
We therefore call on the European Commission to reject a top-down deregulation and consolidation agenda and instead recognise the strategic role of MVNOs in driving innovation, investment, and consumer choice. Europe’s digital competitiveness will not be built on fewer players – it will thrive through open competition and a diverse, dynamic telecom ecosystem.
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[1] Commission to present new single market strategy. European Parliament. (2025, May 21). https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/agenda/briefing/2025-05-21/5/commission-to-present-new-single-market-strategy
[2] EU Tech Commissioner softens ambitions in forthcoming telecom rules overhaul. Euractiv. (2025, May 27) https://www.euractiv.com/section/tech/interview/eu-tech-commissioner-softens-ambitions-in-forthcoming-telecom-rules-overhaul/
[3] Digital infrastructure: Council approves conclusions on the Commission’s White Paper. Council of the European Union. (2024, December 6). https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/12/06/digital-infrastructure-council-approves-conclusions-on-the-commission-s-white-paper/#:~:text=Today%E2%80%99s%20comprehensive%20set%20of%20conclusions%20provide%20a%20clear,Competitiveness%20and%20address%20the%20current%20and%20future%20challenges