Brussels, 14/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has officially asked Hungary and Spain to fully respect the new GSM directive, which calls upon the member states to make the 900 MHz frequency brand available to faster mobile services, such as mobile internet. This directive responds to the objectives of the digital strategy set in place by the European Commission for the deployment and widespread roll-out of wireless broadband services, to allow the European citizens access to basic broadband by 2013.
The member states agreed to transpose the new directive into their internal law by no later than 9 May 2010. However, Hungary and Spain have still not adopted the national measures to do this or notified the Commission of their provisions. The Commission has therefore warned these two member states that it is waiting for adequate measures to be set in place, a warning given in the form of reasoned opinions. The Commission states that it will continue to follow the implementation of the new directive in all member states of the Union, to ensure that GSM frequency bands are made available to 3G technologies and that it will keep an eye out for any competition distortions. (I.L./transl.fl)