Have your say – Digital Networks Act
You can also get involved in forming EU laws. The European Commission offers a platform “Have your say” with the list of all new EU initiatives open for public consultation. You need to register to write your feedback: ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say
Digital Networks Act
About this initiative: The initiative aims at improving access to secure, fast, and reliable connectivity for the transition towards cloud-based infrastructure and Artificial Intelligence. To this end, it aims to help boost secure high-speed broadband, both fixed and wireless, and incentivise and encourage investments in digital infrastructure. It builds on the Commission’s White Paper: “How to master Europe’s digital infrastructure needs” adopted on 21 February 2024.
Feedback period: for stage 2 it is 06 June 2025 – 11 July 2025
Feedback from Europeans for Safe Connections
Digital Networks Act aims to help boost secure high-speed broadband, both fixed and wireless.
We “Europeans for Safe Connections” we welcome the emphasis on fixed broadband infrastructure. However, we feel compelled to provide constructive feedback on the health implications of wireless connectivity, as they relate to:
- relevant information on the possible impact of different options,
- emerging problems of possible policy approaches.
Suggestion no. 1: Prioritize cabled connections.
Cabled (wired) connections are more stable and reliable than wireless connections. Furthermore, the WHO has emphasized the need for a pollutant-free environment for healthy development, particularly for children.
There is a growing scientific evidence suggesting that wireless technologies have harmful effects on human health—particularly on vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Despite these concerns, economic considerations often take precedence in policy-making. Wireless technologies continue to proliferate, and many devices now operate at higher transmission power than in the past.
Suggestion no. 2: Replace wireless connections with cables immediately in places such as hospitals, kindergartens, schools, retirement homes, all public buildings.
Parliamentary Assembly Resolution 1815 in point 8.3.2. states: “for children in general, and particularly in schools and classrooms, give preference to wired Internet connections, and strictly regulate the use of mobile phones by schoolchildren on school premises“
and in point 8.2.4. “recommend the use of wired, fixed telephones at home“.
An illustrative example of the targeted provision of a low wireless exposure environment for children is also the paediatric unit of the Archbishop Makarios Hospital in Cyprus.
Suggestion no. 3: Advise member states to provide low/no radiation zones in municipalities. Declare all nature reserves and parks low/no radiation zones.
According to the European Union’s fundamental values, everybody must be treated fairly and minority rights must be respected.
Parliamentary Assembly Resolution 1815 in point 8.1.4. states: “pay particular attention to “electrosensitive” people who suffer from a syndrome of intolerance to electromagnetic fields and introduce special measures to protect them, including the creation of wave-free areas not covered by the wireless network;“.
Suggestion no.4: Require a comprehensive health impact assessment before auctioning new frequency bands (microwave, millimeter waves)
The European Commission has yet to present conclusive evidence that 5G or 6G are safe. In contrast, recent biological studies increasingly report negative health effects from chronic RF-EMF exposure. It’s important to first understand the long-term health effects of existing wireless technologies before deploying newer ones like 6G.
The Commission’s impact assessment on the Digital Networks Act suffers from serious flaws, as highlighted by the Regulatory Scrutiny Board, which stated:
The European Commission’s impact assessment of the proposed regulation contains a number of shortcomings and errors. Some of these have been highlighted by the Regulatory Scrutiny Committee tasked with reviewing the impact of the Commission’s proposal. The Committee found that the impact assessment “is not entirely clear as regards the methodological assumptions and parameters underlying the econometric models used to analyse the economic and environmental impacts. It does not demonstrate a net positive impact on the environment’.(source A)
The amended version of the impact assessment does not shed any light on this issue and admits that it ‘did not attempt to quantify the impacts associated with the deployment of different variants of mobile networks’ … and acknowledges that ‘the literature on the environmental impacts of 5G deployment is limited, as this is an area that is still subject to research’.(Source B)
Nowhere in the same study is there any mention of the impact of 5G on biodiversity or human health. It is all the more regrettable that, in the chapter on the consequences of Europe’s inaction on the accelerated deployment of 5G, we learn implicitly that part of the motivation for this draft regulation is to circumvent “local tensions concerning”.
source A – REGULATORY SCRUTINY BOARD OPINION – Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on measures to reduce the cost of deploying gigabit electronic communications networks and repealing Directive 2014/61/EU (Gigabit Infrastructure Act), SEC(2023) 96 final, https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/93931
source B – European Commission, Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, Godlovitch, I., Kroon, P., Strube Martins, S. et al., Support study accompanying the review of the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive – Impact assessment – Final report, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2759/34519
Suggestion no.5: We “Europeans for Safe Connections” acknowledge that a strong and future-proof digital infrastructure plays an important role in supporting Europe’s economy, security, and social welfare. However, it is deeply concerning that the proposal focuses exclusively on benefits for industry and economic competitiveness, while neglecting the potential consequences for citizens, public health, the environment, and privacy:
— Health and Environmental Risks of 5G Technology. There remain unresolved questions about the potential health effects of widespread 5G deployment. Several research bodies have raised concerns about increased electromagnetic radiation exposure, especially in urban areas with dense antenna placement. Moreover, potential negative impacts on wildlife and natural ecosystems must be thoroughly investigated and factored into infrastructure planning before further roll-out. Ref. Legal Opinion on 5G (helbredssikker-telekommunikation.dk/sites/default/files/LegalOpinionOn5G.pdf)
— Cloud and Edge Networks Introduce New Vulnerabilities.The proposal presents cloud and edge computing as integrated parts of future infrastructure without addressing the significant security risks involved. Centralizing vast amounts of data and shifting operations to external systems increase the likelihood of major data breaches, cyber attacks, and systemic failures, with serious consequences for both individuals and critical societal functions.
— Erosion of Privacy Rights.It is a major flaw that the proposal fails to address citizens’ right to data protection. When data is transferred to cloud services and the network is operated by large tech corporations and telecom providers with questionable data practices, we risk losing control over who accesses our data and how it is used. This development should not be uncritically portrayed as progress but as an ethical and democratic challenge.
— Lack of Democratic Oversight and Public Involvement.Digital infrastructures are being planned and implemented without sufficient public debate or democratic oversight. There is a risk that this will create a digital future that primarily serves industry interests rather than broader societal needs. Transparency, citizen involvement, and robust regulation are essential to protect individual rights and ensure that technological development aligns with the public good.
Conclusion:
We urge the European Commission to take a precautionary approach. Wireless technologies—especially mobile phones and base stations—must be rigorously evaluated for compliance with safety standards, including in low-signal conditions, where emissions can increase. Above all, new and existing wireless technologies must not be allowed to endanger public health.
We urge that the current proposal be revised to move beyond a narrow focus on technological modernization and industrial gain. It must address the broader implications for public health, the environment, and civil liberties. Higher standards for security, accountability, and citizen protection must be established before implementing technologies with such far-reaching impact.
Best regards
Europeans for Safe Connections
This feedback was sent from a wired internet connection
– No use of harmful radiation
– Less electricity consumption
– Increased data security
The link to our feedback: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14709-Digital-Networks-Act/F3566967_en
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