Brussels, 29/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission believes that management of radio spectrum use (radio-electronic waves that bounce through space without any physical support) is too anarchic in Member States, which are not sufficiently benefiting from this resource and which is essential for numerous tributary sectors using cordless transmission.. In an effort to obtain more rational and optimum use of this spectrum, the Commission presented a new EU strategy which aims to lower the barriers to access radio resources and to take advantage of the synergies resulting from a common European approach. Bernd Langeheine, director of “electronic communications policy” at Directorate General “Information and Media Science” at the Commission explained that every day, consumers regularly use a number of apparatuses that are dependent on radio spectrum technology (mobile phones, remote controls, radios). He said that common rules would allow for a boost to investment, economies of scale, promotion of trade, reduced prices and expanding consumer choice. Mr Langheine also said that they wanted a more economic and flexible approach in management and use but that this did not mean Commission interference. He added that they wanted common points to help take advantage of the single market. The Commission considers that a common strategy will have a direct economic impact on radio spectrum users. The Commission explained that this contribution currently stands at between 1% and 2% of GDP in the EU.
The new strategy proposes to: make conditions for granting access to frequency bands attributed to specific transmission technology so that companies have more freedom to use resources as they choose. The rapid technological changes and strong demand for cordless applications make the current system obsolete; make exclusive user rights over significant portions of spectrum negotiable, according to certain rules. Mr Langheine asserted that they wanted to see a secondary market set up where companies could purchase other frequencies. According to Commission estimates, considerable net gains (around €8-9 billion/year) could be obtained with a more flexible system. Several Member States: Denmark, Italy, Pays-Bas, Austria, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, United Kingdom, Slovenia, Slovakia have already set up systems for exchanging rights; studying the possibilities for making radio-frequency available to allow different user share frequency bands. A measure that expands the choice of cordless applications offered to the consumer; releasing parts of spectrum for new uses. For example, the current transition from analogue to digital broadcasting will lead to a creating up to 70% increase in space used, leaving the field open to new uses of frequencies that have been freed up.
The Commission will be discussing this new strategy will Member States. It will then send its conclusions to the European Parliament and Council of the EU, which will be expected to put the subject on the agenda of December's “Telecoms” Council.