WRITTEN QUESTION E-3654/00 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission. Distinction between public and commercial radio stations in planning frequencies.
Date: 2000-11-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Netherlands, commercial media, control of State aid, dominant position, merger control, national law, public sector, public service, waveband

C 187 E/24

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

(2001/C 187 E/024)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3654/00

by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission

(23 November 2000)

Subject: Distinction between public and commercial radio stations in planning frequencies

The Dutch Telecommunications Act is structured in such a way that a decision has to be taken on the
frequency requirements for public broadcasting before any frequencies can be allocated to commercial
broadcasters. To achieve an efficient replanning of the FM band the Dutch government has arranged for
zero-base research to be carried out with a view to increasing the frequencies of commercial broadcasting.

On the basis of the results of this research it has been decided to make available FM frequencies for one
additional commercial station and to make a considerable increase in the listening range of almost all
frequency packages to more than 70 %. The frequency range for public broadcasting (national, regional
and local) has priority and is planned on conventional lines which do not result in additional frequency
requirements for public broadcasting.

For commercial broadcasting planning involves new methods which considerably increase the frequency
range.

Can the Commission look into whether the distinction that is made between public and commercial
broadcasting for planning frequency range can have the effect of distorting competition in the commercial
market?

(2001/C 187 E/025)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3655/00

by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission

(23 November 2000)

Subject: Distinction between public and commercial radio broadcasting in the auctioning of radio

frequencies in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands there are plans for an auction in 2001 to achieve an efficient distribution of radio
frequencies amongst commercial radio broadcasters. It will be a simultaneous multi-stage auction with
bids. Licences will be granted for eight years, a period similar to the one applicable to national public
broadcasting. In contrast to commercial broadcasters, public stations will receive frequencies free of charge
and on a priority basis.

Can the Commission look into whether making frequencies available to public broadcasting free of

1.
charge is a form of state aid incompatible with the Treaty?

The cabinet(cid:146)s opinion on the auction completely ignores public broadcasting. Mention is merely made of
creating a (cid:145)level playing field(cid:146) between commercial stations, but not between commercial and public
stations. With regard to the frequency range for commercial broadcasting the Dutch government envisages
two important tasks: promoting access to the market for different types of commercial broadcasting bodies
and healthy competition between market operators. The latter means an equal starting position (as far as
possible) and avoiding the creation of market concentrations.

2.
Does the Commission agree that creating or maintaining a (cid:145)level playing field(cid:146) and promoting fair
competition on the radio market involves not only healthy competition between commercial broadcasters
but also between public and commercial broadcasters?