On July 25th, 2007, the European Commission (EC) published a “Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of repealing Council Directive 87/372/EEC on the frequency bands to be reserved for the coordinated introduction of public pan-European cellular digital land-based mobile communications in the Community” and a “Decision on the harmonisation of the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands for terrestrial systems capable of providing pan-European electronic communications services in the Community”.

The published documents propose to open radio spectrum in 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequencies for advanced mobile data and multimedia services (e.g. 3G: it is a service that allows video streaming and fast downloads on mobile telephones). The goal of the EC Proposal is to increase the number and choice of wireless services available in the European Union (EU) area. Furthermore, the Proposal aims to expand wireless services coverage and reduce network deployment costs for EU wireless communication industry.

The EC Proposal is part of a package of measures to implement the Commission’s strategic approach to promote a more flexible use of spectrum. This is an important element of the reform of the EU Telecom Rules. Furthermore, the Proposal contributes to the i2010 initiative since it adapts the regulatory framework in order to facilitate the deployment of advanced mobile communications.  

According to the EU’s Commissioner for Information Society and Media, Viviane Reding: <<In the EU, we must remove regulatory barriers and facilitate the deployment of mobile communications by allowing new technologies to share spectrum with existing ones>>. Indeed, mobile networks are more efficient when they use low frequencies bands, such as frequencies used by GSM mobile handsets.

Therefore, the EC proposes to substitute the 1987 GSM Directive with a Draft Directive allowing new technologies to access 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequencies, together with GSM.

According to the EC, the Proposal should have a positive economic impact on the sector and promote the take over of advanced wireless services. According to sector studies, in the EU the wireless communication industry might achieve an expenditure reduction of up to 40% in network costs over five years. Indeed, the draft Directive should allow companies to use fewer cellular towers to reach more people.

In a strategy for radio spectrum introduced in 2007, the EC wanted to open unused frequencies and frequencies freed by analogue switch over to the market. Furthermore, the EC have to agree with Member States about how the allocation process of spectrum may be made less restrictive.

According to Mr Martin Selmayr, Commissioner Reding’s spokesman: <<At the end of the process, in the EC’s view, we would like to see a system where most services can be offered in any band at the choice of the operators with the technology they want>>.     

Next steps:

In the course of 2007 autumn, the EC will publish more far reaching legislative proposals on spectrum allocation.

By the end of 2007, European Parliament and Council should formally approve the proposal.

For further information on July 25th, 2007 EC Decision, please click here and here.

To access the EC Proposal, please click here.

To access an interesting article on the EC Proposal, please click here.

For an overview the EU’s Radio Spectrum Policy, please click here.

For further information on the EU Telecom Rules, please click here.