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Brussels, |
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EU Competition Policy
Digital, Media & Electronic Communications
Digital technologies, media services and electronic communications are now essential components of the European economy. Businesses and consumers depend on online platforms, telecommunications networks, cloud services, digital advertising, streaming services, mobile applications and connected devices for communication, commerce, information and entertainment.
EU competition policy helps ensure that these markets remain open, innovative and contestable, while preventing dominant companies from restricting market access, exploiting commercial dependencies or limiting consumer choice.
The role of competition policy
Competition policy applies to all major areas of the digital economy, including:
The European Commission may intervene through antitrust investigations, merger control, State aid supervision and the enforcement of the Digital Markets Act.
The objective is to prevent companies from using market power to exclude competitors, impose unfair conditions, restrict access to essential infrastructure or reduce innovation.
Digital platforms and gatekeepers
Large digital platforms may act as gateways between businesses and users. Their control over data, operating systems, app stores, search results, advertising networks and online marketplaces can give them significant influence over how companies reach customers.
The Digital Markets Act establishes specific obligations and prohibitions for designated gatekeepers providing core platform services.
Gatekeepers may be required to:
They must not unfairly favour their own services, use non-public business-user data to compete against those businesses or prevent users and companies from accessing alternative services.
The DMA complements traditional competition law by introducing preventive rules for large platforms whose position can make digital markets difficult to contest.
Antitrust enforcement in digital markets
EU antitrust rules prohibit agreements and practices that restrict competition, as well as abuses by companies holding a dominant position.
Digital-sector investigations may concern:
Competition enforcement is particularly important in markets characterised by strong network effects, economies of scale, control of large data sets and high switching costs.
These characteristics can allow a successful platform to consolidate its position rapidly and make market entry more difficult for competitors.
Electronic communications and connectivity
Electronic communications include fixed and mobile telecommunications, broadband internet, satellite services and the infrastructure used to transmit data and content.
Competition policy supports the development of reliable, affordable and high-capacity communication networks across the European Union.
Relevant competition issues may include:
The broader EU policy framework is developed through the Commission’s work on connectivity and digital infrastructure.
Competition between operators can help improve coverage, service quality, technological innovation and consumer choice. At the same time, major infrastructure investments may require cooperation between companies, provided that this does not unnecessarily restrict competition.
Telecommunications mergers
The telecommunications sector has experienced significant consolidation as operators seek economies of scale, wider network coverage and the resources needed to invest in fibre, 5G and other advanced technologies.
The European Commission reviews mergers and acquisitions to assess whether they could:
Merger control must balance the potential efficiencies of consolidation with the need to preserve effective competition in national and cross-border markets.
The Commission may approve a transaction, prohibit it or require commitments designed to address identified competition concerns.
Media and audiovisual markets
The media sector includes television, film, music, publishing, gaming, advertising and digital content services.
These activities contribute not only to economic growth but also to culture, education, access to information and democratic debate. The sector has been transformed by technological convergence, as content is increasingly distributed through interconnected devices, platforms and networks.
Competition issues may arise in relation to:
The Commission may examine whether agreements or transactions restrict access to content, foreclose competing services or reduce diversity and consumer choice.
Streaming, publishing and digital content
The growth of streaming and online distribution has created new opportunities for content creators, publishers and consumers.
At the same time, a small number of platforms may control access to audiences, recommendation systems, user data and distribution channels.
Competition concerns may involve:
Online advertising
Digital advertising is a central source of revenue for search engines, social networks, media organisations, publishers and online services.
The sector involves a complex chain of advertisers, publishers, platforms, data providers and advertising-technology intermediaries.
Competition issues may concern:
The interaction between competition law, privacy rules and data governance is increasingly important in the assessment of digital advertising markets.
Data, cloud and digital infrastructure
Access to data and computing infrastructure has become a strategic competition issue.
Companies increasingly depend on cloud providers, data centres, software platforms and artificial-intelligence services to operate and innovate.
Competition concerns may arise where providers:
State aid and digital infrastructure
Public authorities may support broadband deployment, telecommunications infrastructure, digital innovation, media services and connectivity projects.
EU State aid rules allow public intervention where it addresses market failures or supports public-interest objectives, provided that the aid is necessary, proportionate and does not unnecessarily crowd out private investment.
Public support may concern:
Competition cases and sector inquiries
The Commission can conduct sector inquiries where competition does not appear to function effectively across an entire market.
These inquiries may examine contractual practices, market structures, access barriers, data use and the role of major intermediaries.
Businesses can follow relevant investigations through:
EU competition policy helps ensure that these markets remain open, innovative and contestable, while preventing dominant companies from restricting market access, exploiting commercial dependencies or limiting consumer choice.
The role of competition policy
Competition policy applies to all major areas of the digital economy, including:
- online platforms and marketplaces;
- search engines and app stores;
- social networks and messaging services;
- telecommunications and broadband networks;
- mobile and fixed communications;
- cloud computing and data services;
- online advertising;
- television, film, music and publishing;
- streaming and gaming services;
- digital content distribution.
The European Commission may intervene through antitrust investigations, merger control, State aid supervision and the enforcement of the Digital Markets Act.
The objective is to prevent companies from using market power to exclude competitors, impose unfair conditions, restrict access to essential infrastructure or reduce innovation.
Digital platforms and gatekeepers
Large digital platforms may act as gateways between businesses and users. Their control over data, operating systems, app stores, search results, advertising networks and online marketplaces can give them significant influence over how companies reach customers.
The Digital Markets Act establishes specific obligations and prohibitions for designated gatekeepers providing core platform services.
Gatekeepers may be required to:
- allow greater interoperability with third-party services;
- provide business users with access to relevant data;
- permit companies to communicate and contract directly with customers;
- facilitate data portability and user switching;
- provide greater transparency in online advertising;
- allow alternative app distribution and payment channels in certain circumstances.
They must not unfairly favour their own services, use non-public business-user data to compete against those businesses or prevent users and companies from accessing alternative services.
The DMA complements traditional competition law by introducing preventive rules for large platforms whose position can make digital markets difficult to contest.
Antitrust enforcement in digital markets
EU antitrust rules prohibit agreements and practices that restrict competition, as well as abuses by companies holding a dominant position.
Digital-sector investigations may concern:
- self-preferencing by online platforms;
- restrictions imposed on app developers;
- exclusivity and tying practices;
- discriminatory access to data or technical interfaces;
- online advertising practices;
- restrictions on interoperability;
- exclusionary conduct affecting smaller competitors;
- use of algorithms or contractual terms to limit competition.
Competition enforcement is particularly important in markets characterised by strong network effects, economies of scale, control of large data sets and high switching costs.
These characteristics can allow a successful platform to consolidate its position rapidly and make market entry more difficult for competitors.
Electronic communications and connectivity
Electronic communications include fixed and mobile telecommunications, broadband internet, satellite services and the infrastructure used to transmit data and content.
Competition policy supports the development of reliable, affordable and high-capacity communication networks across the European Union.
Relevant competition issues may include:
- access to telecommunications networks;
- wholesale pricing and interconnection;
- spectrum allocation;
- infrastructure sharing;
- roaming and cross-border services;
- network consolidation;
- discriminatory treatment of competing operators;
- access to essential facilities.
The broader EU policy framework is developed through the Commission’s work on connectivity and digital infrastructure.
Competition between operators can help improve coverage, service quality, technological innovation and consumer choice. At the same time, major infrastructure investments may require cooperation between companies, provided that this does not unnecessarily restrict competition.
Telecommunications mergers
The telecommunications sector has experienced significant consolidation as operators seek economies of scale, wider network coverage and the resources needed to invest in fibre, 5G and other advanced technologies.
The European Commission reviews mergers and acquisitions to assess whether they could:
- reduce the number of effective competitors;
- increase prices for consumers or businesses;
- weaken incentives to invest and innovate;
- reduce service quality;
- limit access for virtual network operators;
- strengthen control over essential infrastructure;
- facilitate coordination between remaining operators.
Merger control must balance the potential efficiencies of consolidation with the need to preserve effective competition in national and cross-border markets.
The Commission may approve a transaction, prohibit it or require commitments designed to address identified competition concerns.
Media and audiovisual markets
The media sector includes television, film, music, publishing, gaming, advertising and digital content services.
These activities contribute not only to economic growth but also to culture, education, access to information and democratic debate. The sector has been transformed by technological convergence, as content is increasingly distributed through interconnected devices, platforms and networks.
Competition issues may arise in relation to:
- television and sports broadcasting rights;
- film and music distribution;
- streaming platforms;
- publishing and digital news;
- online gaming;
- advertising technology;
- access to premium content;
- exclusive licensing agreements;
- mergers between media companies;
- vertical integration between content producers and distributors.
The Commission may examine whether agreements or transactions restrict access to content, foreclose competing services or reduce diversity and consumer choice.
Streaming, publishing and digital content
The growth of streaming and online distribution has created new opportunities for content creators, publishers and consumers.
At the same time, a small number of platforms may control access to audiences, recommendation systems, user data and distribution channels.
Competition concerns may involve:
- exclusive content agreements;
- bundling of services;
- discriminatory ranking or visibility;
- restrictions on independent producers;
- access to user and audience data;
- remuneration of publishers and creators;
- acquisitions of emerging competitors;
- platform commissions and contractual conditions.
Online advertising
Digital advertising is a central source of revenue for search engines, social networks, media organisations, publishers and online services.
The sector involves a complex chain of advertisers, publishers, platforms, data providers and advertising-technology intermediaries.
Competition issues may concern:
- control over advertising data;
- integration of buying and selling tools;
- conflicts of interest within advertising platforms;
- discriminatory access to advertising inventories;
- restrictions affecting rival advertising services;
- transparency of prices and performance;
- use of personal and commercial data;
- acquisitions of advertising-technology companies.
The interaction between competition law, privacy rules and data governance is increasingly important in the assessment of digital advertising markets.
Data, cloud and digital infrastructure
Access to data and computing infrastructure has become a strategic competition issue.
Companies increasingly depend on cloud providers, data centres, software platforms and artificial-intelligence services to operate and innovate.
Competition concerns may arise where providers:
- impose restrictive switching conditions;
- limit data portability;
- charge excessive exit fees;
- bundle cloud and software services;
- restrict interoperability;
- favour their own applications;
- impose exclusive purchasing arrangements;
- control access to critical technical infrastructure.
State aid and digital infrastructure
Public authorities may support broadband deployment, telecommunications infrastructure, digital innovation, media services and connectivity projects.
EU State aid rules allow public intervention where it addresses market failures or supports public-interest objectives, provided that the aid is necessary, proportionate and does not unnecessarily crowd out private investment.
Public support may concern:
- broadband networks in underserved regions;
- fibre and mobile infrastructure;
- digitalisation of public services;
- cloud and data infrastructure;
- research and innovation;
- local and public-interest media;
- cultural and audiovisual production;
- cybersecurity and advanced technologies.
Competition cases and sector inquiries
The Commission can conduct sector inquiries where competition does not appear to function effectively across an entire market.
These inquiries may examine contractual practices, market structures, access barriers, data use and the role of major intermediaries.
Businesses can follow relevant investigations through:
- the Commission’s Digital, Media and Electronic Communications cases and judgments;
- the EU Competition Case Search;
- the Commission’s information on sector inquiries;
- the official Digital Markets Act cases register.
Digital, Media & Electronic Communications Competition Cases
Digital platforms, telecommunications operators, media companies, publishers, software providers, advertisers and public authorities can consult the Commission’s Digital, Media & Electronic Communications Cases and Judgments page to follow antitrust investigations, cartel decisions, merger reviews and State aid cases involving publishing, audiovisual content, broadcasting, telecommunications, software, data and digital services.
Why this matters for businesses
Competition-policy developments in digital, media and electronic communications can directly affect platform access, data use, advertising, content distribution, telecommunications services and digital investment.
Businesses should monitor:
For digital platforms, telecom operators, media companies, publishers, software developers, advertisers, cloud providers and business users, understanding EU competition policy is essential to identifying risks, rights and market opportunities.
Follow EU competition cases, Digital Markets Act enforcement, merger reviews and regulatory developments shaping Europe’s digital, media and communications markets.
Competition-policy developments in digital, media and electronic communications can directly affect platform access, data use, advertising, content distribution, telecommunications services and digital investment.
Businesses should monitor:
- DMA gatekeeper designations and compliance measures;
- antitrust investigations involving digital platforms;
- mergers in telecommunications, media and technology;
- changes to app-store and marketplace rules;
- developments in online advertising;
- access to data, cloud and digital infrastructure;
- network-sharing and connectivity agreements;
- public funding for broadband and digital projects;
- media-rights and content-distribution cases;
- consultations, judgments and enforcement decisions.
For digital platforms, telecom operators, media companies, publishers, software developers, advertisers, cloud providers and business users, understanding EU competition policy is essential to identifying risks, rights and market opportunities.
Follow EU competition cases, Digital Markets Act enforcement, merger reviews and regulatory developments shaping Europe’s digital, media and communications markets.
