European telecoms: less bureaucracy to boost growth and investment

A study by Arthur D. Little with ConnectEurope highlights regulatory simplification and a more integrated market as key levers to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and returns in the telecommunications sector.

European telecommunications are built on solid foundations: mobile coverage close to 96%, steadily improving network quality, and declining prices for users. This system has delivered widespread value, but today it is expected to evolve further in order to fully unlock its economic and industrial potential.

According to the study “A Simplification Agenda for European Telecoms”, the central issue is not technological capability, but rather the environment in which operators operate. In recent years, despite high investment levels—between 15% and 20% of revenues—growth has remained modest, also due to a complex regulatory framework and increasingly intense global competition.

The report identifies regulatory simplification as a strategic priority. Reducing overlaps between rules, harmonising approaches across EU member states, and shifting towards a more service-oriented model could free up resources, improve efficiency, and make the market more attractive for investment.

A second area of intervention concerns market structure. Greater integration and consolidation among operators could enable economies of scale, support the development of cross-border services, and strengthen competitiveness against major global players.

Finally, the study suggests a rebalancing along the digital value chain: with a significant share of internet traffic controlled by a small number of platforms, new forms of cooperation and more sustainable models could help redistribute value and further support investment in infrastructure.

From this perspective, Europe has the opportunity to transform an already advanced system into a true growth engine, relying on simpler rules, greater integration, and an industrial vision capable of supporting the development of next-generation networks.

Wireless & Towers 2026, taking place from 7 to 9 October 2026 at Bologna Exhibition Center, is the first international trade fair and conference in Southern Europe dedicated to transmission towers, infrastructure, technologies, and equipment for telecommunications, broadcasting, satellite communications, geospatial applications, security sectors, smart cities, emergency services, and territorial systems.

The event is part of the new European exhibition hub Urban Tech 2026-The Urban Technology Show (e-mobility, traffic, commuting, security, telecom & data, environment).