Brussels, 21/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 20 February, European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes announced her resolve to develop the technical conditions necessary for using wireless broadband in the 700 MHz band.
Her announcement was made at the last plenary Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG), which assists the European Commission in the development of a harmonised spectrum policy in the European Union. Kroes sent a request to the CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations), which coordinates postal and telecommunications bodies of European states, asking it to establish the technical specifications necessary for deployment of mobile applications in this frequency band. The political aspects will be entrusted to a high level group composed of experts from industry. That group will be tasked with coordinating the debate between the different stakeholders, whose opinions may differ (especially those of mobile and broadcasting services). “Our objective is to reach a political agreement and give regulatory certainty”, Kroes said, adding: “We should be strategic. We should act with an eye to tomorrow's opportunities - not yesterday's powers. And we should be truly European”. The commissioner regrets the very different positions adopted by member states regarding radio spectrum, including timing, although she does understand the sometimes divergent national situations. “With a common vision, we can be sure to all reach the same destination. (…) We have to reinforce Europe's wireless ecosystem”, she concluded. (IL/transl.jl)