New radio frequencies for mobile internet services

‘EU Legislation in Progress’ briefings aim to provide Members of the European Parliament with systematic and automatic analysis on all substantial proposals for EU legislation at every stage of the legislative procedure. Each contains an account of the purpose, content and legal aspects of the legislation proposed, in particular analysing what the legislation would change, as well as any previous legislation and the background. An overview of stakeholders’ views is also provided, as well as the opinions of national parliaments and the two advisory committees.

They are all made publicly available for stakeholders and the public.While radio spectrum management is predominantly a national competence, EU policy plays an increasingly important role in its coordination and harmonisation. The EU actively seeks ways to harmonise use of the different bands of the spectrum to meet the ever-growing demand for wireless mobile broadband. Nevertheless, spectrum allocation in the EU remains fragmented and varies among the Member States.

Following developments in the international framework, as well as the considerations of high-level expert groups and a public consultation, the European Commission adopted a long-term strategy for use of the 470-790 MHz frequency band. The strategy proposes to repurpose the 694-790 MHz band, to use it for wireless broadband rather than television broadcasting. The latter is to have priority in the 470-694 MHz band.

The European Parliament ITRE Committee report proposed that the deadline for national roadmaps was extended to 30 June 2018, that the 470-694 MHz band could be used by broadcasting services until 2030 and that end-users were compensated promptly for the switch. A December 2016 agreement with the Council in trilogue needed now to be confirmed.

Under the agreement among the co-legislators, Member States will reassign the 694-790 MHz band by 30 June 2020. This reallocation may be delayed by up to two years in duly justified cases, examples of which are given in the agreed text. Broadcasting services will maintain priority in 470-694 MHz band at least until 2030, but the Member States will have certain flexibility to use this range for other purposes.

This Briefing updated an earlier edition of December 2016.

Author: Marcin Szczepański

EP: EPRS: Briefing: EU Legislation in Progress http://epthinktank.eu/eu-legislation-in-progress/

ESO: Background information: Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the use of the 470-790 MHz frequency band in the Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/proposal-for-a-decision-of-the-european-parliament-and-of-the-council-on-the-use-of-the-470-790-mhz-frequency-band-in-the-union/

ESO: Background information: Use of radio frequencies in the Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/use-of-radio-frequencies-in-the-union/

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