Radiocommunications: allocation of radiofrequencies, World Conference WRC-99

In accordance with the Council's views on the Europe-wide cooperation on radiofrequencies, the Member States of the EU work out European common proposals for WRCs (World radiocommunications conferences) in the CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications administrations). The WRC-97, which will be held in Geneva from 27 October 1997 to 21 November 1997, will deal with an extensive agenda of technically detailed issues, for which nearly 160 European Common Proposals have been adopted by the CEPT. Considering that the availability of radio frequencies is a "sine qua non" for the further development of the Community's radiocommunications sector, the purpose of the present communication is to inform Council and Parliament about the issues at stake at WRCs, to identify how WRC decisions relate to Community policy on radiocommunications, and to propose the following improvements: - the Community should be more closely involved in the WRC process in order to liaise with industry, raise political awareness and assist in establishing and maintaining contacts with third countries in order to ensure that WRC results are fully compatible with the Community acquis; - the Commission or the Member States should call for the establishment of a common Community position: a) in case Member States disagree amongst themselves on proposals submitted to the conference; b) when one or more Member States disagree with other CEPT countries on such proposals; c) when CEPT proposals do not comply with Community interests; d) when a common Community position can contribute to strengthen the CEPT proposals in discussions with third countries; - industry at Community level should be more vocal in contributing to the development of positions to be worked out by the CEPT and should participate at WRCs where there is a need for on-the-spot consultation; - the positions worked out prior to and at the conference itself should be appropriately endorsed by industry and political instances. �