this project is funded by the european union eu regulatory framework for electronic communications -...

This project is funded by the European Union

EU regulatory framework for electronic communications

- Spectrum and related aspects

Richard HarrisIndependent EU telecommunications consultant

ICTtrain workshopLondon 3-14 November 2008

Agenda

– The early days– The fiasco– The Decision– The Committee– Growing support– The Policy group–What next?

3rd November 2008 2

The early days

– GSM Directive (87/372/EEC)– ERMES Directive (90/554/EEC)– Tetra Directive– Satellite PCS Decision No

710/97/EC– UMTS Decision No 128/1999/EC

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The fiasco

• The auctions for 3rd generation spectrum licences in 2000.• Distortion of the whole market.• Diversion of surplus capital.• Lessons learned:–Adopt common EU approach.–Make enough spectrum available.– Permit spectrum trading.

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The Decision

• DECISION No 676/2002/EC on a regulatory framework for radio spectrum policy

• The Commission shall be assisted by the Radio Spectrum Committee

• Commission submits draft measures to the Radio Spectrum Committee

• Commission issues mandates to the CEPT, setting out the tasks and the timetable.

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The Committee -1

• Web site of the Radio Spectrum Committee:

http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/policy/radio_spectrum/activities/rsc_work/index_en.htm

• Commission chair, members from MSs• Information about the Committee’s:– Meetings schedule – Reports and public documents 2002 to present.– Commission mandates– Annual work programme

• Messages go by e-mail• Committee papers are downloaded

3rd November 2008 6

The Committee - 2

Now well established and earning respect

Growing volume of work

Clear that its work is needed and was overdue

Many things in hand. For example:

• Digital dividend in the UHF band (470-852 MHz)

• Mobile communication on aircraft

• Government use of spectrum

• More flexible use of GSM spectrum

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Growing support

• 14th Feb 2007 the EP adopted a resolution “Towards a European policy on the radio spectrum”.

– 48 recitals

– 36 clauses

• Industry is aware of the magnifying effect of harmonised spectrum for new applications and products.

3rd November 2008 8

The Policy Group

The RSPG website: http://rspg.ec.europa.eu/

• Senior government experts from 31 countries, EP, ETSI, EFTA and EC.

• Chooses its own chairman• Meets two or three times a year• It is a link between policy making at EU

level and spectrum management at national level.

• RSPG consults widely and advises the EC.

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What next?• Spectrum trading and liberalisation• EC paper (COM)2005/400 on a

market based approach to spectrum management

• At present spectrum trading is permitted by EU law but not required

• Some moves have been made in about 10 EU countries

• The current review goes further. EC (COM)2007/50 proposes flexibility for WAPECS.

3rd November 2008 10

Summary• The Europe-wide and world wide

success of GSM.• MS initially reluctant to share any

power with the Commission.• Now it is accepted that EU

coordination and leadership is necessary.

• The process has taken about 20 years.


Thank you for your attention

[email protected]

For more information:See - Europa web-site


this project is funded by the european union eu regulatory framework for electronic communications -...

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