Third-generation mobile and wireless communications system UMTS: ccordinated introduction

OBJECTIVE: to provide without delay at Community level for specific measures for Member States regarding the harmonized introduction of mobile and wireless communications (UMTS) in the European Union. SUBSTANCE: following on from the Commission communication of 15 October 1997 (COS0569) the proposal for a decision sets the specific conditions in view of the coordinated introduction by Member States of the third generation of UMTS services in the European Union. UMTS will offer users a wireless access to the Internet and other multi-media services in addition to mobile telephony and messaging services already available today. The proposal extends the harmonization process of Directive 97/13/EC on licensing, which provides for cooperation with the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) and a comitology procedure. This process will apply to both general authorizations and to individual licences. The proposal also requires that licences be based on European standards developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) where available. Member States will therefore be required to take all the necessary steps to allow the harmonized provision of UMTS services by 1 January 2002 at the latest and in particular to establish a harmonized authorization system for UMTS by 1 January 2000 at the latest. �