Telecommunications, broadcasting, transport: radio frequency spectrum (Green Paper)

PURPOSE: this green paper intends to identify the best approach for the implementation of radio spectrum policy at a European level. CONTENT: technological developments, market trends and the evolution of policy/regulation - all interrelated - have a substantial impact on the availability of radio spectrum and make both the search for radio spectrum for new applications and the harmonisation of radio spectrum usage increasingly complex. Furthermore, the availability of radio spectrum has become a fundamental question for the implementation of Community policies in the field of telecommunications, broadcasting, transport and research and development. As a result it is assuming a considerable economic significance in terms of market value and employment. Given that radio spectrum constitutes a scarce resource, the green paper suggests discussing radio spectrum questions with all interested parties in the light of tese developments in order to guarantee optimal use of spectrum resources. Given the policy objectives of the European Community, the Commission proposes to examine, as a matter of priority, the following questions of Community interest: - guaranteeing availability of radio spectrum for pan-European radiocommunications equipment, services and systems; - maintaining a fair balance between public and economic interests in radio spectrum policy; - reflecting the economic value of radio spectrum as a scarce resource; - guaranteeing legal security with regard to the availability and use of radio spectrum; - guaranteeing open, transparent objective and non-discriminatory procedures to allow the provision, on a competitive basis, of radiocommunications equipment and services; - guaranteeing effective use of radio frequencies; - ensuring that regulation with reagrd to radio spectrum favours competition and technological innovation; - encouraging the development of economies of scale for the introduction of new equipment which matches the needs of users; - ensuring coherence between radio spectrum and standardisation policies. The Commission will present the results of this consultation in a report and will propose all necessary Community measures. Response to the questions raised in this green paper will also allow better preparation of the international negotiations on radiofrequencies at the time of the upcoming World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC).�