Brussels, 27/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - The Hungarian presidency of the EU Council had hoped to achieve a political agreement on radio-electric spectrum policy. It finally, however, succeeded only in taking the discussion forward in Council on a report describing the state of progress in work. The subject is highly complex and politically sensitive for member states, the Hungarian information and communications minister, Zsolt Nyitrai, said. It is a matter of urgency, however, that an agreement be reached on a coordinated radio spectrum policy, as underlined by Neelie Kroes, the commissioner responsible for digital strategy, in order to reach the objectives of the Digital Agenda regarding innovative and broadband services (the Commission would like to see basic broadband available for all in 2013 and fast and ultrafast broadband available in 2020). Kroes said one could not afford to lose time as spectrum policy is a “must” for the economy. Progress must be made, and fast, she stressed. Kroes went on to hail the work done by the Hungarian presidency in closing the gap between the different viewpoints. Zsolt Nyitrai is of the view that the Hungarian presidency has done everything in its power to meet concerns raised, and that an appropriate use of the spectrum will contribute to equal opportunities and the promotion of competitiveness in Europe as a whole. The minister said he would seize the opportunity provided in June to continue discussion with the European Parliament at the highest level with the Commission's participation, in order to take the dossier forward before passing it on to the Polish presidency. The report by Gunnar Hökmark (EPP, Sweden) is very ambitious, Nyitrai explained, saying they wished to reconcile different points of view.
During the debates, member states all showed the resolve to move forward with a view to establishing the first radio spectrum policy programme, proposed by the Commission in September 2010. Work conducted by the Council's preparatory bodies for establishing the progress report mainly covered aim and scope, general regulatory principles and policy objectives, enhanced efficiency and flexibility, competition, spectrum for wireless broadband, spectrum needs for specific EU policies, and the radio spectrum inventory and international talks. Although there is consensus on the essential points, several member states, and especially the member states located on the eastern borders of the European Union (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, but also Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta and Poland), are concerned by the 2013 deadline for the use of 800 MHz frequency for wireless broadband communications, given the sometimes difficult cooperation with the border countries (and Russia in particular) on this. Derogations are possible, Commissioner Kroes promised, but subject to exceptional conditions, for those who can state excellent reasons for such derogations. (I.L./transl.jl)