Small Cell Forum (SCF) has submitted a response to the European Commission’s public consultation on the proposed Digital Networks Act (DNA), calling on EU policymakers to address the practical barriers that continue to delay small cell deployment across Europe.

Developed collaboratively by SCF’s Regulation & Policy Group, the response welcomes the DNA as an important opportunity to support Europe’s connectivity objectives, including 5G densification, private networks and high-capacity urban coverage. However, it warned that the framework must work in practice at deployment level if those ambitions are to be delivered.

SCF said the existing framework for small-area wireless access points (SAWAP) remains relevant, but its implementation has proven challenging. In particular, access to municipal infrastructure, including street furniture and public buildings, often remains unclear, inconsistent and fragmented. Requests are often handled on a case-by-case basis, which can create delays and uncertainty for operators, neutral host deployers and infrastructure providers.

Dr. Prabhakar Chitrapu, Chair of SCF, said: “The Digital Networks Act is an important opportunity to help Europe accelerate deployment of the infrastructure needed for advanced connectivity. Small cells are essential to 5G densification, private networks and high-capacity urban coverage, but deployment still depends on practical local conditions. To be effective, the regulatory framework must make access to public infrastructure clearer, faster and more predictable.”

SCF is calling for clearer and more standardised access conditions for public infrastructure at municipal level, alongside more practical technical rules for small cell deployments. It said current restrictions on equipment size and power can make some deployments possible in theory but difficult to deliver at scale, particularly where higher capacity, coverage or multi-operator configurations are required.

SCF also said the DNA should provide greater legal certainty for neutral host and shared infrastructure models, including where active equipment is involved. This would help avoid divergent interpretations across Member States and support more efficient, scalable deployment.

Ana Urban Atance, Regional Chair for SCF’s Regulation & Policy Group in Europe, said: “Europe’s connectivity needs cannot be met through traditional deployment models alone. Neutral host and shared infrastructure models can reduce unnecessary duplication, lower deployment costs and support more efficient use of infrastructure. For these models to scale, the legal and regulatory position needs to be clear across Member States.”

SCF also welcomed the inclusion of a numbering framework in the DNA, noting its role in supporting private networks which can benefit from separate Network-Identification-Number assignments. It urged policymakers to address the expanded Network-Identification needs, triggered by the increasing number of private and neutral host networks and cross-border sovereignty considerations.

Overall, SCF said the priority should be to ensure existing frameworks can be applied in a predictable, timely and scalable way in practice, helping Europe deliver the advanced connectivity needed by industries, enterprises and communities and address the needs of private and neutral host networks.

Organizations interested in contributing to SCF’s work program can find out more about becoming a member here: www.smallcellforum.org/join-now/