Spain launches public consultations on connectivity vouchers and the new Digital Networks Act

The Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Service has activated two citizen participation processes that define the Spanish digital agenda for the coming months. On one hand, a prior consultation on the regulatory bases for granting non-competitive aid for fixed broadband services, known as connectivity vouchers, has been published. On the other, a consultation on the European Parliament and Council proposal for a Regulation on digital networks, which will modify current EU telecom rules, has been opened.

These initiatives are not isolated but are framed within the Spain Digital 2025 Agenda, aiming to ensure adequate connectivity for 100% of the population and lead 5G deployment in Europe. The simultaneity of both consultations reflects the Government's intention to align national aid policy with the future European regulatory architecture, ensuring public investments in digital infrastructure meet new governance and network neutrality standards.

The public consultation on connectivity vouchers, published on October 7, 2026, seeks opinions from operators, citizens, and other stakeholders on the main characteristics of the draft regulatory bases. The deadline to submit contributions extends until 24:00 on November 7, 2026. This aid mechanism, in a non-competitive regime, is designed to facilitate access to fixed broadband services, especially in areas with insufficient coverage or high prices.

The goal is to reduce the digital divide between rural and urban areas, a central target of the Spain Digital 2025 Agenda. According to the document, contributions must be sent to consultapublica.normasteleco@digital.gob.es, and only those where the sender is identified and the contribution addresses the need, opportunity, or content of the regulatory text will be considered. Responses are considered susceptible to public dissemination unless confidentiality is specifically indicated.

The second public consultation focuses on the European Parliament and Council proposal for a Regulation on digital networks, which will modify Regulation (EU) 2015/2120, Directive 2002/58/EC, and Decision No 676/2002/EC, and repeal Regulation (EU) 2018/1971, Directive (EU) 2018/1972, and Decision No 243/2012/EU. This new legislation, known as the Digital Networks Act, seeks to update the European telecom regulatory framework to adapt to the challenges of the digital era, including Internet governance, protection of fundamental online rights, and promoting a resilient, secure, and robust Internet.

The European Commission has defined its vision through the concept COMPACT, which conceives Internet as a space of civic responsibilities, an unfragmented resource governed by a multi-stakeholder approach to promote democracy and human rights. The Spanish public consultation, opened on May 20, 2026, allows citizens, organizations, and associations to submit comments on the problems to be solved, the need and opportunity of the rule, its objectives, and possible alternative regulatory and non-regulatory solutions.

Both consultations are inscribed in the framework of the Spain Digital 2025 Agenda, which articulates a set of measures, reforms, and investments in ten strategic axes aligned with the European Commission's digital policies. Among its key goals are ensuring adequate digital connectivity for 100% of the population, with 100 Mbps coverage, and leading in Europe the deployment of 5G technology, with 100% of the radio spectrum prepared for this technology. Additionally, it seeks to strengthen the digital skills of workers and citizens, with a target of 80% of people having basic digital skills.

The Agenda also prioritizes cybersecurity and the digitalization of Public Administrations, with a target of 50% of public services available in a mobile app. These initiatives are partly funded by the European Union Recovery Fund - NextGenerationEU, as a common European-scale response to face the crisis and accelerate the digital transition. The coherence between national aid and future European regulation is essential to maximize the impact of these investments and avoid duplications or regulatory conflicts.

To participate in the consultation on connectivity vouchers, interested parties must send their contributions before November 7, 2026, to the indicated email address. It is crucial that contributions are identified and focus on the content of the draft regulatory text. Regarding the consultation on the Digital Networks Act, the process follows the instructions established by Order PRE/1590/2016, which enables public participation in the rule-making process through the web portals of the ministerial departments.

The results of these consultations will influence the final drafting of the aid regulatory bases and Spain's position on the future European regulation. The Ministry is expected to publish a summary of the contributions received and explain how they were taken into account in the elaboration of the definitive rules. For telecommunications operators, these consultations represent an opportunity to influence the design of aid and regulation, ensuring they are viable and effective. For citizens, it is an opportunity to defend their interests in access to quality connectivity and an open, secure Internet.