Brussels, 23/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The EU has shown tolerance by postponing the delivery of 800 MHz for wireless broadband and access to the 4G mobile broadband spectrum in nine member states. This is creating problems for citizens who are unable to use their mobile phones to their full potential. The Commission believes that the situation accurately illustrates the urgent need for better coordination of radiometric frequency sharing between member states.
On Tuesday, 23 July, Commissioner Neelie Kroes decided to grant “temporary and limited 800MHz derogations for nine countries. This is a pragmatic and final concession. Every delay in releasing spectrum hurts our economy and frustrates citizens”. Initially, 14 requests for derogations were submitted but only those from Spain, Cyprus, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Poland, Romania and Finland have been accepted. The Commission ultimately took into account the difficulties to immediately free up the 800 MHz from broadcasting services and cross-border frequency coordination. Greek, Latvian and Czech requests are still being assessed. Slovak and Slovenian requests were refused because delays in these countries were due more to authorisation procedures than exceptional circumstances preventing the availability of the band.
The Commissioner criticised the delays to the freeing up of spectrum resources, even though it is essential that electric frequency distribution is coordinated effectively and said that this was why “spectrum reform will be a centrepiece of the Commission's September proposal for a telecoms single market”. (MD/transl.fl)