Brussels, 14/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - In its draft opinion adopted on Wednesday 13 May, during its most recent plenary session, the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) called on national decision-makers to develop a coordinated approach in managing radio electric spectrum and the digital dividend. The European Commission is called on to take rapid action on the basis of principles of service, technology and harmonised standards. RSPG president Dániel Pataki declared: “The digital dividend can be a key driver of innovation. If we are serious about seizing this unique opportunity for the EU's growth, we must act now”. According to Pataki, more effort is required in order to coordinate national policies on this, in strict compliance with subsidiarity. He also affirmed that, “given the current political environment and technical constraints, we believe this is a realistic and achievable objective”. The digital dividend and radio spectrum frequencies freed up by the switch from analogue to digital broadcasting constitute a golden opportunity for Europe to spur growth and innovation in the information and communication technologies sector (ICT) sector and in the European economy as a whole. The Commission, in close collaboration with the RSPG, is encouraging member states to harmonise their spectrum policies but some are still reluctant to collaborate further and are stubbornly sticking to their prerogatives, as demonstrated at the “Telecoms Council” on 27 December (EUROPE 9792). The draft RSPG opinion will help the Commission develop a roadmap on the subject, planned for the autumn.
On Wednesday, the RSPG also submitted a position on wireless broadband, whose deployment cannot be restricted by spectrum management. Mr Pataki explained that “wireless broadband, based on radio spectrum, is one of the most promising new services: it could help the EU economy recover while bridging the digital divide”. The RSPG also highlights the importance of removing all unnecessary restrictions on the use of spectrum which is already in use for services including mobile broadband, and of authorising the use of available spectrum promptly. (I.L./transl.rh)