WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1856/98 by W.G. van VELZEN to the Commission. Auctioning of mobile telephone frequencies
Date: 1998-06-05
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN VELZEN W G
Subjects: award of contract, competition law, innovation, investment, market research, telecommunications, waveband

22.2.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 50/107

(1999/C 50/153)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1856/98

by W.G. van Velzen (PPE) to the Commission

(5 June 1998)

Subject: Auctioning of mobile telephone frequencies

On 19 May 1998, in an interview with the (cid:145)Financieel Dagblad(cid:146) newspaper, the Director-General of the Post and
Telecommunications Department of the Netherlands Ministry of Transport and Public Works said that, within
two years, the Netherlands Government would be selling UMTS frequencies to the highest bidder. Auctioning has
advantages and disadvantages. It is a useful method for distributing goods which are scarce, and it brings in a lot
of money for the government. The disadvantages are that it reduces the innovative power and the investment
capacity of undertakings, particularly in a market such as the telecommunications market which is growing so
strongly and where competition is so fierce.

Is the Commission aware that the Netherlands Government is planning to sell UMTS frequencies to the

1.
highest bidder within two years?

Is it prepared to carry out a study into the advantages and disadvantages of auctioning as an instrument for
2.
distributing goods which are scarce, and is it prepared to publish the results of that study before Member States
start to sell UMTS frequencies to the highest bidder?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(8 July 1998)

The subject of auctions in the telecommunications sector as an instrument to distribute scarce resources has been
addressed in a considerable number of academic and consultancy studies carried out on behalf of individual
administrations and companies. Currently, the Commission is analysing whether all necessary information is
provided by the existing studies. The need for a further study in this field will have to be examined in the light of
this analysis.

The use of auctions will be addressed in a forthcoming communication from the Commission to the Parliament
and Council on spectrum policy, to be published in the second half of 1998. The communication will be followed
by a public consultation period in which interested parties can express their views on the subject matter, including
the use of auctions. Particular regard will be given in this respect to the question to what extent the revenue raised
through auctions is used to contribute to the efficient use of radio frequencies and to foster the development of
innovative services and competition.

(1999/C 50/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1860/98

by Paul R(cid:252)big (PPE) to the Commission

(16 June 1998)

Subject: Antidumping procedure against Brazil

In OJ C 336, 7.11.1997 the Commission announced the initiation of antidumping proceedings against Brazil.
They relate to 100 % eucalyptus wood hardboard which is required for manufacturing doors in the internal
market. Substantial quantities of this board are imported for the purpose. No similar products of the right quality
are available from within the European Union. Using lower quality material would also involve a price rise which
would considerably reduce the competitiveness of European manufacturers.

How is the Commission taking the interests of the manufacturers concerned into account in the current
proceedings?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(1 July 1998)

The anti-dumping proceeding in question was indeed initiated by the Commission, by notice published in the
Official journal (1). The proceeding concerns the importation of hardboard originating not only in Brazil, but also
in Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Russia, and covers other hardboards in addition to that
produced from eucalyptus.