Brussels, 29/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - The publication on Wednesday 28 October of the European Commission proposals on management of the radio-electric spectrum (see EUROPE 10008) has given rise to comments from cable operators, radio broadcasters and new operators.
The latter, meeting within ECTA (European Competitive Telecommunications Association) are pleased with the proposals, as long as allocation of the spectrum freed up by digital transition is carried out in a climate of real competition. “Spectrum is a public good that should be used to the foremost benefit of consumers”, said Innocenzo Genna, ECTA President. “If its allocation is permitted to favour one or two dominant players then competition will be hampered and consumers will not benefit from the introduction of new, innovative services but instead will find themselves paying higher prices, but not enjoying the highest possible speeds”, he continued. ECTA gives Germany as an example, saying that Germany's plans for the allocation and sale of the best frequencies (800 MHz), combined with the position taken by the German authorities on the 900 MHz band, clearly discriminate against the two small competitive mobile operators in the market and will effectively eliminate competition (Ed.: Commissioner Reding recently sent a letter to the German authorities calling on them to provide an explanation - see EUROPE 9997). The cable operators receive proposals with the utmost caution. According to tests carried out in laboratory, the use of the 790-862 MHz for the new mobile services is likely to create interference with household networks and appliances (television, internet, games consoles, video recorders, etc.), ECTA says. “We understand the need for moving closer to a single digital market”, said Caroline Van Weede, Managing Director CableEurope, while underlining the responsibility of member states in the process. “We are calling for careful national attention to this newly identified interference so that January 1st 2010 will be a cause for celebration rather than frustration”, she said. Finally, radiobroadcasters welcome the proposals that confirm the social and cultural value of the spectrum. It is now the responsibility of member states to ensure that the quality of terrestrial digital television and the good coverage of the territory are ensured, UER (Union européenne de radio-télévision), saying it is essential in consumers' interests to ensure that they do not have to pay the cost of new frequency planning. (I.L./transl.jl)