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Radio spectrum policy programme

2010/0252(COD)

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted the recommendation for second reading contained in the report by Gunnar HOKMARK (EPP, SE) that the European Parliament approves unamended the Council’s position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a multi-annual radio spectrum policy programme.

The Council's common position, adopted on 13 December 2011 and officially transmitted to the European Parliament on 19 January 2012, is based on the agreement reached on 24 October 2011 between the European Parliament and the Council.

The main results agreed upon are as follows:

  • the freeing up of the 800 MHz frequency band for wireless broadband internet services in all Member States by 1 January 2013;
  • speeding up the development of mobile broadband of at least 30 Mbps by 2020 for all EU citizens, bridging therefore the digital dividend and contributing to the objectives of the Digital Agenda for Europe;
  • allocating at least 1200 MHz of spectrum to mobile data traffic by 2015;
  • the creation of an inventory with a very large scope of the existing use of spectrum from 400MHz to6 GHz to create a flexible and coordinated European spectrum policy;
  • the Commission shall assess and report by no later than 1 January 2015 whether there is a need for action to harmonise additional spectrum bands;
  • the Commission shall, in cooperation with Member States, assess the justification and feasibility of extending the allocations of unlicensed spectrum for wireless access systems, including radio local area networks to open up for more use of for example WiFi;
  • the Union shall, upon request, assist Member States with legal, political and technical support to resolve spectrum coordination issues with Union neighbouring countries, including candidate and acceding countries.

The Decision shall enter into force on the 20th day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member States shall apply the policy orientations and objectives sent out in this Decision by 1 July 2015 unless otherwise specified.

By 31 December 2015, the Commission shall conduct a review of the application of this Decision. Furthermore, the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on the activities developed and the measures adopted pursuant to this Decision.