Radiocommunications: Green Paper on radio spectrum, results of the public consultation

The European Parliament adopted the resolution drafted by Konstantinos ALYSSANDRAKIS (GUE/NGL, Greece) on the results of the public consultation on the Green Paper on radio spectrum policy. The Parliament sees the ultimate goal of spectrum policy as being the provision of high quality services to citizens. It opposed a purely market-driven approach to spectrum policy, but the commercial interest must be taken into account as this will guarantee a good use of scarce resources. Market pricing has an important part to play in securing the efficient use of spectrum and encouraging further technological developments. Member States and the Council and Commission are urged to seek a balance between the interests of commercial and non-commercial frequency users and to take sufficient account of the public interest. The Parliament does not support a pan-European regulatory framework at the present stage, since National Regulatory Authorities should retain sufficient flexibility to respond to national, local and regional needs, whilst also cooperating at a European level. It does advocate the drafting of rules empowering the Commission to require Member States to release the frequencies needed for pan-European services and applications decided upon by Council and Parliament. Parliament stated that the allocation of frequencies cannot be separated from the particular application that the bands are used for. In this context, the principles of spectrum pricing, auctioning and the introduction of a secondary market for radio spectrum can only be appropriate for commercial applications. Member States should harmonise their approach on whether to auction frequencies or grant licenses. Revenues should be invested in further development of the information society rather than be regarded as fiscal income.�