Brussels, 05/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - The radio spectrum “digital dividend”, freed up by the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting, represents an enormous economic opportunity to Europe. This is why the European Commission has highly recommended that member states ensure that there is a sufficient spectrum portion for wireless broadband by 2013, in an effort to ensure high-speed broadband connections to outermost regions and provide innovative services throughout Europe (EUROPE 10218). The European Audiovisual Observatory (part of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg has just published an “IRIS Plus” report on this theme (“the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting”).
In the first section of the report, the authors deliver a detailed examination of the various regulatory and institutional frameworks at international and European level responsible for “laying down the law” regarding radio spectrum management. The authors conclude that although certain organisations such as the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation In Europe (OSCE), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the European Union proposed recommendations and major guidelines for good practice in spectrum management, the creation of an essential regulatory framework at European level is determined by a European Union decision on spectrum and the “Telecoms Package”, which recommends that member states advocate frequency in a way that ensures that society reaps the maximum benefits possible. The second part of the report deals with recent policy developments having a bearing on the future of spectrum management. The analysis illustrates that a common awareness of the importance of a coordinated spectrum management exists for the EU's economic future. A study commissioned by the European Commission at the end of 2009 estimated that a co-ordinated approach to the digital dividend, if achieved before 2015, “would increase its potential economic impact by an additional €17-44 billion over 15 years”. Much policy-making over the last few years has therefore concentrated on harmonising and coordinating strategic milestones, such as the switchover date from analogue to digital (the Commission's deadline is 1 January 2012). Another point for coordination involves efficient use of the 800 MHz band for electronic communication networks and services, other than broadcast transmission. The EU's Radio Spectrum Policy Group has recommended 2015 as a suitable deadline for making this band available in this way, while accepting that frequency coordination issues with bordering non-EU countries might delay the process. The report writers conclude that “the question is not whether coordination or, in some instances, harmonisation is necessary but to what extent coordination and/or harmonisation is needed to achieve all these principles and objectives”. (I.L./transl.fl)