Communication from the Commission to the Council and European Parliament - A Forward-looking radio spectrum policy for the European Union - Second annual Report.
Date: 2005-09-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU market, activity report, economic growth, information technology, market access, telecommunications, trade licence, transmission network, waveband

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 6..2005 
COM(2005) 411 final 

. 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL 
AND EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 

A FORWARD-LOOKING RADIO SPECTRUM POLICY FOR 
THE EUROPEAN UNION: SECOND ANNUAL REPORT 

. 

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL 
AND EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 

A FORWARD-LOOKING RADIO SPECTRUM POLICY FOR 
THE EUROPEAN UNION: SECOND ANNUAL REPORT  

(Text with EEA relevance) 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Summary ...................................................................................................................... 3 

The State of Radio Spectrum Policy at EU level ......................................................... 3 

The Contribution of Spectrum Policy to the Lisbon Goals.......................................... 4 

Towards a coherent EU Spectrum Policy .................................................................... 5 

The Way Forward: Outline of Key Initiatives ahead ................................................... 7 

Achieving Political Consensus on Future Steps......................................................... 10 

Annex 1: Developments since the First Report........................................................................ 11 

Annex 2: Timetable of Actions in EU Spectrum Policy .......................................................... 13 

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1. 

SUMMARY 

The radio spectrum is a key resource for many essential services in society: mobile, wireless 
and  satellite  communications,  TV  and  radio  broadcasting,  transport,  radio  location 
(GPS/Galileo),  and  many  other  applications  (alarms,  remote  controls,  hearing  aids, 
microphones, medical equipment, etc.). Radio technology also supports public services such 
as  defence,  security/safety  and  scientific  activities  (e.g.  meteorology,  Earth  observation, 
radio astronomy and space research). 

An effective and coherent use of spectrum in these areas can help the European Union meet 
its  Lisbon  goals  by  stimulating  growth,  competitiveness  and  employment.  Current 
inefficiencies in the distribution and use of spectrum create costs, lead to wasted opportunities 
for business and reduce the take-up of innovative services to the detriment of consumers. 

Spectrum  management  has  a  strong  cross-border  dimension,  given  the  European  and  global 
markets dependent on radio-based services, as well as the need to avoid harmful interference 
between  countries.  A  coordinated  spectrum  policy  in  the  EU  aims  to  enhance  a  genuine 
single  market  for  radio  services  and  equipment.  In  this  respect,  the  Commission  intends  to 
take concrete actions to:  

•  Lower  barriers  to  access  to  spectrum,  improving  efficiency,  promoting  innovation, 

greater flexibility for users and more choice for consumers.  

•  Allow  convergence  to  become  a  reality,  by  removing  artificial  restrictions,  notably 

between broadcasting and mobile communications. 

This  report  briefly  sets  out  the  Commission’s  strategy  for  a  coherent  EU  radio  spectrum 
policy as part of the i2010 initiative, which seeks to encourage the development of the digital 
economy. In particular, the need for a gradual but systematic liberalisation of radio spectrum 
use is essential. While bearing in mind national interests in this matter, common action at EU 
level will give a critical contribution to the coherence and final success of this task. 

2. 

THE STATE OF RADIO SPECTRUM POLICY AT EU LEVEL 

This  is  the  second  report  on  activities  undertaken  under  Decision  676/2002/EC  of  the 
European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on a regulatory framework for radio 
spectrum  policy  in  the  European  Community  (the  “Radio  Spectrum  Decision”  -  RSD).  It 
presents  a  consolidated  view  of  on-going  actions  and  future  challenges  for  an  EU-based 
spectrum policy, and sets such issues within a broader policy context.  

Europe’s  leadership  in  the  development  and  take-up  of  radio  technology  depends  on  the 
efficient use of spectrum and on the decisions policy-makers take in this respect. In its first 
report on Radio Spectrum Policy in the EU1, the Commission identified the need for reform 
in the management of this precious resource.  

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COM(2004) 507. 

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The  EU  Member  States,  largely  responsible  for  their  national  spectrum  assets,  have  already 
acknowledged the importance of a common EU policy in this area for the establishment and 
functioning  of  the  internal  market.  They  also  agreed  on  the  need  for  a  long-term,  policy-
based  approach,  aimed  at  improving  the  flexibility  and  responsiveness  of  spectrum 
management, with a view to increase competitiveness and foster innovation, while taking into 
account general interest objectives2. 

In  the  past  year,  this  policy  has  moved  on  from  its  initial  set-up  phase  to  the  first  concrete 
results. High-level discussions have been launched on important radio spectrum policy issues, 
such  as  the  introduction  of  spectrum  markets3  and  transition  to  digital  TV4.  The  first 
harmonisation measures to sustain citizens’ access to innovative technologies and to develop 
the  EU  internal  market  have  also  been  adopted,  supporting  wireless  internet  connectivity5 
and  car  anti-collision  systems6.  The  Commission  also  provided  guidance  to  support  EU 
interests in international negotiations and considered ways to improve spectrum information 
availability. Details of these activities are set out in Annex 1. 

3. 

THE CONTRIBUTION OF SPECTRUM POLICY TO THE LISBON GOALS 

At the European Summit of March 2005, EU leaders renewed their partnership for growth and 
jobs, including by building a fully inclusive information society, based on widespread use of 
information  and  communication  technologies  (ICTs)  in  public  services,  SMEs  and 
households7.  With  the  i2010  initiative,  the  Commission  fully  supports  this  analysis  and 
emphasises  ICT  as  a  major  driver  of  competitiveness  and  growth8.  The  creation  of  an  open 
and  competitive  single  market  for  information  society  and  media  services  within  the  EU  is 
critical to ICT uptake.  

Within  this  context,  there  is  clear  understanding  that  a  knowledge-based  and  mobile 
information society requires significant improvements in spectrum management9. Removal of 
restrictions on access to spectrum by emerging radio technologies can assist in their timely 
uptake,  create  better  conditions  for  long-lasting  and  balanced  economic  progress  and 
employment, and improve quality of life for citizens.  

The  importance  of  spectrum  policy  decision-making  is  exemplified  by  its  impact  on 
development of the mobile communications sector. In the eighties, this was a small market, 
fragmented  at  national  level.  The  EU’s  timely  provision  of  harmonised  frequencies 
“triggered” the development of a new pan-European digital cellular system (GSM). The EU 
also  encouraged  a  gradual  introduction  of  competition  in  this  sector  via  new  licences,  and 
funded  the  coordination  of  industrial  R&D  activities.  This  coherent  approach  was 
instrumental in the emergence of an industry which generated in 2004 a GDP contribution of 
€  105.6  bn  for  the  EU  15  alone.  The  mobile  services  industry  is  estimated  to  have  created 

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4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
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Council Conclusions 15530/04 and 15533/04 of 3.12.2004. 
COM(2005) xxx. 
COM(2005) 204. 
Decision 2005/513/EC. 
Decisions 2004/545/EC and 2005/50/EC. 
European Council Conclusions 7619/1/05 Rev. 1 of 23.3.2005. 
COM(2005) 229. 
See e.g. the PWC study for the EU Presidency, “Rethinking the European ICT Agenda”, August 2004. 

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2.8 million jobs in the EU 15. According to current trends, it shall soon overtake in turnover 
the agriculture sector, or the electricity, gas and water industries put together10. 

More  recently,  spectrum  policy  decisions  fundamentally  influenced  the  next  generation  of 
mobile  communications  (“3G”).  While  harmonised  spectrum  for  3G  was  identified  in  the 
EU11,  the  licensing  of  operators  displayed  widespread  national  variations,  with  different 
timing  and  assignment  mechanisms  (various  types  of  auctions,  comparative  bids  or  mixed 
approaches) which reflected in reality diverging national policy goals. The overall licensing 
proceeds  (some  €  109  bn)  were  spread  very  unevenly  across  the  EU.  Given  the  mobile 
sector’s  increasingly  pan-European  strategies,  more  EU  coordination  in  introducing 
innovative  spectrum  assignment  mechanisms  could  have  mitigated  some  of  the  negative 
effects on the sector12. 

Spectrum  management  decisions  are  also  critical  to  many  other  on-going  societal  “trends”, 
such  as  transition  to  digital  TV,  development  of  wireless  offices,  homes  and  schools,  safer 
transport by air13, sea, rail and road, more effective services in public security and healthcare.  

4. 

TOWARDS A COHERENT EU SPECTRUM POLICY  

Member States have the same overall aim for management of radio spectrum, i.e. to optimise 
use  of  this  natural  asset  for  the  “greater  good”  of  society.  However,  finding  the  right 
approach  to  further  this  aim  is  made  difficult  by  the  many  different  interests  affected  by 
change, by the significant “legacy” of earlier decisions and by the impact national measures 
have on other countries and on the EU internal market. 

4.1. 

Seeking coordinated answers to common problems  

Improvements in spectrum management are being actively considered and introduced across 
the  developed  world14.  The  Commission  is  convinced  that  effective  spectrum  reform  will 
lead  to  significant  gains  for  Europe.  However,  ambitious  national  reforms  in  spectrum 
polices must be accompanied by adequate consideration of the EU perspective. The risk for 
Europe  of  undue  fragmentation  amongst  national  policies  is  that  the  existing,  imperfect 
convergence in spectrum use will be undermined by unilateral action, without for that matter 
allowing reforms to reap the expected economic and societal benefits, given the relative lack 
of scale of national markets. 

In  the  wireless  sector,  market  size  matters.  The  current  rapid  rate  of  innovation  in  IT 
industry-related  radio  applications  can  be  linked  to  this  industry’s  focus  on  driving  prices 
down for consumers by providing low-cost, standardised (i.e. non-proprietary), interoperable 
solutions  –  WiFi  and  Bluetooth  are  good  examples.  Besides  relying  on  quick  and  cost-free 
access  to  radio  spectrum,  this  approach  is  predicated  on  large  markets  being  open  to  new 
applications, leading to greater incentives to invest and significant economies of scale. 

10 
11 
12 
13 
14 

Ovum study on mobile services for GSMA, 24.12.2004. 
Decision 128/1999/EC. 
See a study on 3G assignment by McKinsey, June 2002, for the EC. 
e.g. via the development of an EU Radionavigation Plan (ERNP). 
See e.g. the US Presidential Memo on Spectrum Policy of 5.6.2003 and follow-on activities. 

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This “level-playing field” for widespread technology uptake exists in the USA and in Japan 
(and  in  the  future,  in  China  and  India),  but  is  often  missing  in  the  EU  market,  which  risks 
being  too  nationally  fragmented  to  attract  the  substantial  private  commitment  needed  to 
develop new radio technologies and to sustain effective competition. 

In  essence,  therefore,  while  it  is  clear  that  the  use  of  the  radio  spectrum  affects  national 
prerogatives, it is equally evident that a genuine EU single market for radio-based equipment 
and  services  must  be  underpinned  by  common  policy  and  regulatory  approaches  to 
spectrum access, in order to reach the required “critical mass” of reform, to convince industry 
and users that any innovative technology made possible by de-regulation could have access to 
the whole EU market, and to safeguard public services. 

4.2. 

Moving towards new approaches to spectrum management  

Lack of flexibility in spectrum management to follow technological evolutions and consumer 
demands  have  led  to  a  spectrum  “bottleneck”  for  new  radio  technologies.  In  Europe,  the 
imperfect nature of the single market for radio-based equipment and services compounds the 
overall  problem.  In  practice,  industry  is  still  often  confronted  with  different  national 
regulations and contrasting policy approaches. 

Spectrum has historically been distributed via detailed ex-ante administrative decisions. This 
approach has come under increasing pressure, due to the high technological turnover and the 
strong  demand  for  wireless  applications.  The  requirement  for  prior  regulatory  approval  can 
severely delay or even prevent the introduction of new products. 

In  order  to  render  spectrum  distribution  more  flexible,  new  management  models  have  been 
developed. The main two are: 

•  Spectrum markets can improve the efficiency of use of spectrum, since industry is better 
suited  than  regulators  to  identify  the  highest-value  applications.  The  artificial  scarcity  of 
this  good  is  to  be  tackled  by  creating  a  “free  market”  of  tradable  rights  to  use  particular 
frequencies according to market demand. 

•  Licence-exempt  use  (“commons”  model),  where  equipment  (typically  low-power 
consumer  goods)  that  fulfils  certain  technical  conditions  is  used  without  a  licence.  This 
reduction in regulatory constraints has already allowed the creation of thriving new radio 
sectors  using  relatively  small  amounts  of  spectrum,  and  further  flexibility  would  thus  be 
beneficial. 

An  EU-wide  balanced  approach  should  be  sought  between  all  spectrum  models15.  The 
optimal  “mix”  between  them  will  depend  on  various  criteria,  such  as  speed  to  market, 
protection from harmful interference, quality of service and fostering the internal market and 
innovation. 

15 

Other new management approaches are also being considered, such as “overlay” (cognitive radio), and 
“underlay” (UWB) spectrum access systems. 

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5. 

THE WAY FORWARD: OUTLINE OF KEY INITIATIVES AHEAD 

The Commission intends to improve the effectiveness of the use of the radio spectrum in the 
EU by using a coherent toolbox of concrete actions in coordination with the Member States. 
A timetable for these actions is in Annex 2. 

5.1. 

Defining common, clear and flexible rules 

A  common  set  of  rules  for  spectrum  management  is  needed  to  provide  predictability  for 
investors  and  borderless  functionality  of  equipment  for  users.  While  an  adequate  EC  legal 
basis  for  spectrum  harmonisation  and  for  radio  equipment  operation  already  exists16,  the 
forthcoming  Review  of  the  e-communications  regulatory  framework  will  seek  to  integrate 
new spectrum policy approaches and to clarify spectrum-related concepts, such as efficiency 
and  interference17.  Common  rules  for  spectrum  trading  will  be  considered,  as  well  as  a 
stronger EU dimension in licensing.  

The  Review  will  also  provide  the  opportunity  to  clarify  technology  and  service  neutrality 
principles as applied to spectrum. Their application should be striven for as a rule, although 
they  may  be  limited  by  technical  considerations,  such  as  avoiding  interference.  Further 
divergences from these principles would have to be justified on a case-by-case basis by over-
riding EU interests.  

5.2. 

Implementing flexibility of spectrum usage 

Spectrum usage flexibility can improve efficiency by enabling a broader choice on the uses of 
specific bands. Common conditions for such flexibility will be more advantageous for the EU 
single market:  

•  The  Commission  proposes  to  introduce  spectrum  markets  in  the  EU  by  201018.  A 
coordinated  EU  introduction  would  avoid  undermining  the  benefits  of  an  integrated 
European  market  in  e-communications  and  could  generate  as  much  as  €  9  bn/year  net 
benefits19.  

•  The switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting will release additional 
technical  efficiency.  The 
spectrum  capacity  (“digital  dividend”),  due 
Commission  shall  support  the  Lisbon  agenda  by  coordinating  the  introduction  of  pan-
European innovative uses in part of the released spectrum. A target date for closing down 
analogue broadcasts across the EU (2012) will assist in this objective20.  

to  greater 

•  A  debate  is  under  way21  on  a  common  spectrum  approach  for  all  wireless  platforms 
providing  e-communication  services.  Spectrum  regulations  should  recognise  on-going 
convergence trends (broadcasting-cellular mobile; voice-data; fixed, mobile and nomadic 
uses),  and  not  differentiate  artificially  between  them.  Frequencies  for  these  applications 
should be gradually “pooled” together and made available to users as they see fit.  

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RSD and Dir. 1999/5/EC, respectively. 
For instance in Art. 9 of Dir. 2002/21/EC and Art. 5 of Dir. 2002/20/EC. 
See footnote 4. 
Study by Analysys for the EC on spectrum markets, May 2004. 
See footnote 5. 
RSPG Opinion on WAPECS, expected by end 2005. 

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•  Consideration  on  how  to  extend  the  licence-exempt  (  “commons”)  approach  is  also 
required at EU level, since any additional frequencies identified for this model would be 
more  useful  if  available  across  the  EU.  In  the  EC  regulatory  framework,  individual 
authorisations (i.e. licences) should be the exception, rather than the rule. That most of the 
spectrum  is  licensed  at  all  is  justified  by  the  potential  for  harmful  interference  which 
would  be  caused  by  unfettered  use.  Risks  and  benefits  of  the  current  interference-
avoidance  process  need  to  be  clarified,  to  strike  a  better  balance  between  protection  of 
existing  services  and  fostering  innovation.  The  Commission  is  launching  studies  on  the 
license-exempt approach and on interference in 2005. 

•  The development of spectrum-efficient technologies via for instance “smart” or cognitive 
radio could have a significant impact on flexibility. The Commission is using the funding 
available under the EU RTD Framework Programme to support this research22. 

5.3. 

Assisting the development of a common EU technological base  

Industry  should  have  the  opportunity  to  supply  innovative  products  to  the  EU  market  as  a 
whole, if it so wishes. The Commission intends to support the development of truly EU-wide 
markets  and  the  unhindered  circulation  of  radio  goods  and  services  by  systematically 
identifying frequencies to be harmonised, and providing certainty to de facto harmonisation. 

For the next reporting period, the following measures are envisaged: 

•  Supporting the uptake of broadband via: 

–  3G mobile communication (IMT 2000 et al.);  

–  Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) technologies;  

–  hybrid satellite 3G/data-broadcasting applications. 

•  Ultra  Wideband-enabled  products  (UWB):  coordinated  EU  introduction  of  a  potentially 

pervasive low-power/high-bandwidth technology in IT, telecom and consumer goods. 

•  Short  range  devices:  enable  an  EU-wide  mass-market  of  low-cost  radio  equipment  to 
develop  and  promote  innovation  for  numerous  daily-life  applications,  such  as  wireless 
”smart tags” (RFID).  

Furthermore, two areas identified by the Commission in i2010 as “flagship ICT initiatives”, 
will be considered for integrated actions to satisfy their spectrum requirements: 

•  Technologies  for 

living  and  health:  many  assistive  and  medical 
applications are wireless, such as social alarms for the elderly and radio telemetry between 
patients and monitoring equipment.  

independent 

•  The  intelligent  car  shall  interact  with  its  environment  by  radio  means,  via  for  instance 

inter-vehicle communications (IVC). 

Identifying and harmonising the frequencies required for such applications could help in their 
take-up by creating common markets throughout Europe and reducing prices. 

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See for instance the E2R project at http://e2r.motlabs.com/ 

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5.4. 

Optimising the impact of EU actions 

Some general issues shall also be further developed in the next reporting period: 

•  Regulatory  impact  assessment:  appropriate  methodologies  are  needed  to  assess  the 
economic and societal consequences of specific decisions. Efforts should be undertaken to 
co-opt  the  knowledge  of  industry  and  other  stakeholders  via  position  papers,  public 
consultations and/or independent studies.  

•  Reviewing  the  validity  of  harmonisation  measures:  the  continued  relevance  of  EU 
measures  shall  be  assessed  periodically.  Instead  of  across-the-board  “sunset”  clauses, 
which could bluntly pre-empt reasoned review results, each annual report should consider 
existing EC spectrum regulation, and propose targeted action as necessary.  

•  National  implementation:  the  Commission  will  monitor  and  encourage  the  timely 
implementation  of  EC  spectrum  harmonisation  measures  at  national  level  to  remove 
barriers to a single market for radio technologies across the EU. 

5.5. 

Supporting EU interests in international negotiations  

The  active  promotion  of  EU  policies  in  international  spectrum  negotiations  is  essential. 
Preparations for two ITU conferences are on-going: 

•  The  Regional  Radiocommunication  Conference  (RRC-06)  involving  some  120 
countries,  will  develop  a  technical  plan  for  digital  land-based  broadcasting.  The 
Commission  is  requesting  the  Member  States,  which  negotiate in the  ITU, to ensure that 
this planning does not unduly constrain policy options on future uses of spectrum freed by 
switching over to digital broadcasting, including for pan-European services23. 

•  The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07): the Commission shall identify 
common  EU  priorities  and  objectives  for  these  global  radio  negotiations.  Main  issues  at 
stake in 2007 shall be the global identification of additional spectrum for advanced mobile 
communications, for aviation systems and for short-wave radio broadcasting. 

Following these two conferences, the Commission shall assess results and the extent to which 
the current process supports EU policies, principles and laws in international negotiations. 

5.6. 

Developing the institutional set-up of spectrum policy at EU level  

The  Radio  Spectrum  Committee  (RSC)  and  the  Radio  Spectrum  Policy  Group  (RSPG)  are 
working  well.  However,  spectrum  policy  developments  in  the  EU  rely  also  on  close 
interaction between these EC mechanisms and CEPT24.  With  EU  expansion,  the  “actors”  in 
these decision-making bodies have become very similar. 

While  experiences  to  date  are  positive,  future  action  needs  to  be  more  complementary, 
without undue overlaps and with clear understanding of where appropriate decisions are best 
taken. A “sequential” approach, applied systematically and based on modalities defined in the 

23 
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COM(2005) xxx. 
The  46-strong European  intergovernmental  organisation pre-dating  the  EU’s  involvement  in  telecoms 
and spectrum. It is a recognised regional entity in ITU. 

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RSD, would best use the “added value” of each mechanism. The underlying justification for 
action would be assessed and agreed using Community mechanisms (Commission with RSC 
and  RSPG),  while 
technical  compatibility  and 
development work would be undertaken by CEPT pursuant to a mandate. In the light of this 
work,  the  Commission  would  then  adopt  technical  implementing  measures  with  the 
assistance of the RSC25. 

the  necessary  and  often  complex 

6. 

ACHIEVING POLITICAL CONSENSUS ON FUTURE STEPS  

The European Parliament and Council are invited to endorse EU actions in spectrum policy 
and to: 

•  recognise  the  importance  of  spectrum  for  the  establishment  of  the  single  European 
Information  Society  in  support  of  the  renewed  Lisbon  partnership  for  growth  and 
employment; 

•  support a common strategy for an efficient spectrum management in the EU, and the need 
to promote innovation through an effective combination of flexibility and coordinated use 
of spectrum. 

•  collaborate closely to ensure the full success of this strategy. 

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Coherence with other relevant groups, notably TCAM and ETSI, will also be essential. 

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ANNEX 1: DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THE FIRST REPORT 

The RSD articulates four different areas of common EU activity in spectrum policy. Here are 
the major issues tackled in these areas in the period under consideration: 

General Policy Issues 

Documents 

Switchover to Digital 
Broadcasting  

RSPG Opinion of November 2004, document-RSPG04-55. 

RSPG  considered  that  EU-level  initiatives  can  and  should  promote  and  facilitate  a 
coordinated  approach 
to  digital 
broadcasting. 

implications  of  switchover 

the  spectrum 

to 

Secondary Trading 

RSPG Opinion of November 2004, document-RSPG04-54 

Communication on accelerating the transition to digital broadcasting. 

RSPG  considered  that  trading  may  be  beneficial  in  certain  parts  of  the  spectrum, 
subject to sufficient safeguards to ensure that potential benefits are not offset by adverse 
consequences, and can contribute to reach the Lisbon strategic goal. 

Communication on the implementation of markets for radio spectrum in the EU. 

 A Common Flexible 
Approach for e-Comms.  

RSPG  Opinion  on  WAPECS  under  preparation  following  Commission  Request 
(document-RSPG04-45 Rev) – public consultation launched 

Licence-free Spectrum 

Independent Studies launched on “commons” model and on interference management 

Date of Adoption 

Technical Implementing Measures  

8 July 2004 

17 January 2005 

11 July 2005 

15 July 2005 

Road  safety:  Decision  on  the  harmonisation  of  the  79  GHz  band  for  the  use  of 
automotive short-range radar equipment in the EC  

Road safety: Decision on the harmonisation of the 24 GHz band for the time-limited 
use by automotive short-range radar equipment in the EC. 

E-communications: Decision on the harmonisation of the 5 GHz band for the use of 
wireless access systems (WAS/RLAN) in the EC. 

RSC agreement on the re-use of the ERMES paging band; adoption of an EC Decision, 
(to  support  hard-of-hearing  devices,  for  tracking  stolen  cars  et  al.),  dependent  on  the 
repeal of Council Directive 90/544/EEC (see Proposal for a Directive). 

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Spectrum Information   The Commission is discussing with the RSC the implementation of some of the results 

of a study on coordination of information on spectrum allocation and use in the EU.  

WRC-07 

RSPG Opinion under preparation on EU priorities and objectives for the ITU WRC-07 
conference, with input from all stakeholders via a public consultation and workshop.  

International Spectrum Negotiations 

RRC-06 

EU Policy input (Information Note) - document RSPG05-71. 

Study on Future spectrum needs for Mobile Communications (WRC-07 issue) –see 
results. 

RSPG discussion on policy aspects of ITU RRC-06 conference.  

Communication on the EU priorities for the ITU RRC-06 conference 

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ANNEX 2: TIMETABLE OF ACTIONS IN EU SPECTRUM POLICY 

Note: this list is indicative only and specific actions may be added, removed or modified. 

2006 

Proposals  on  coherent  flexibility  in  spectrum  bands  used  to  provide  e-
communications services (WAPECS). 

Proposal for a common format of usage rights in the context of spectrum trading 

Harmonisation measures: 

Adoption  of  an  EC  Decision  harmonising  the  use  of  the  so-called  “IMT-2000 
extension band”. 

Adoption  of  one  or  more  EC  Decisions  harmonising  the  use  of  ultra  wideband 
(UWB) applications.  

Adoption  of  an  EC  Decision  providing  a  framework  for  the  harmonisation  of 
spectrum access for a large number of Short-Range Devices (SRD). 

Abrogation  of  the  ERMES  Directive  and  adoption  of  an  EC  Decision 
harmonising the use of this former paging band. 

2007 

Proposals regarding spectrum-related issues, including licensing, in the Review of 
the 2002 e-communications regulatory framework. 

Proposals  for  the  coordinated  use  of  part  of  the  broadcasting  digital  divided, 
following the completion of the ITU RRC-06 conference. 

Introduction of an EU-wide approach to licence-free spectrum. 

Implementing improvements to the process of interference management. 

Setting out EU priorities for the ITU WRC-07 conference. 

Harmonisation measures: 

Broadband Wireless Access and Mobile Satellite applications.  

Assistive and medical wireless applications. 

Wireless applications for the intelligent car. 

2008 

Coordinated EU introduction of relevant results of the ITU WRC-07 conference. 

2009 

National implementation of new e-communications rules. 

2010 

Full establishment of a functioning EU market for major parts of the spectrum. 

2012 

Proposed date for completing switch-off of analogue broadcasting in the EU. 

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