EU endorses flexible frequency use

The EU has released a policy document calling for frequencies to be allocated with no restriction put on what they can be used for.

"Europe must fully exploit the potential use of certain spectrum bands by new wireless products and services, so as to encourage market development," EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media Viviane Reding said, as Brussels unleashed the document, catchily entitled Rapid access to spectrum for wireless electronic communication services though more flexibility.

Initial set of frequency bands under investigation
for the implementation of more flexibility
(1350 MHz in total)

• 470-862 MHz: the band is used for broadcasting today, but issues arising from the digital dividend as well as convergence of broadcasting and mobile services call for action;
• 880-915 MHz / 925-960 MHz as well as 1710-1785 MHz / 1805-1880 MHz: these bands
are used for GSM mobile services today, but issues surrounding the introduction of 3rd generation mobile services and the continuing restrictions in the GSM Directive call for action;
• 1900-1980 MHz / 2010-2025 MHz / 2110-2170 MHz; these bands are used for 3rd
generation mobile services (IMT-2000/UMTS) today, but market developments point
towards the introduction of broadcasting type services as well as broadband connections in residential and rural areas in the light of convergence;
• 2500-2690 MHz (the 2.6 GHz band); this band (still to be licensed) is intended for use by 3rd generation mobile services (IMT-2000/UMTS), but it is of equal interest for the provision of broadband using other technologies such as WiMAX;
• 3.4-3.8 GHz: this band is used for broadband connections to the customer’s premises, but there is of equal interest for the provision of mobile services within the EU. However, it is also intensively used for satellite communications within Russia and a number of African countries.