The transition is part of the Digital Network Act (DNA) presented by EU Commissioner Henna Virkkunen at a press conference in Strasbourg.
Disconnecting from copper is crucial to connecting all households to gigabit networks, Virkkunen says.
Simpler rules will also make it easier for operators to obtain permits to build networks and to provide satellite services.
In parallel, the Commission has put forward new cybersecurity proposals to make it easier to identify and remove operators whose networks are seen as security risks. Although no specific countries are mentioned in the proposals, China has already reacted angrily, accusing the EU of protectionism.
