EU Commission seeks views on spectrum use for wireless broadband

The European Commission is launching a public consultation on how to use the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) spectrum (the 700 Megahertz (MHz) band) most effectively in the coming decades.

EU executive has asked memebers of industry, academia, users of Tv and or wireless broadband services to give their views on Pascal Lamy's report presented in September 2014.

The UHF TV broadcasting band (470-790 MHz) is currently used across the EU for digital terrestrial television and wireless audio equipment. Meanwhile, these frequencies are becoming particularly appropriate to provide wireless broadband at higher speeds and with better geographical coverage.

The International Telecommunications Union agreed in 2012 that the 694-790 MHz band ("700 MHz band") could be used either for broadcasting or for mobile services in the EU as of 2016. The European Commission has expressed a need to establish a coherent position on the future use of the UHF band if it is to further develop the EU Digital Single Market.

This consultation  is one of several channels which will help the Commission draw up a strategy for UHF bands in the course of 2015. Recommendations from the Lamy report, and views of the Member States (via a Radio Spectrum Policy Group Opinion) and related public consultation will also help influence future policy in this field and in particular short-term preparation of a coherent EU position for November's World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 which will discuss international treaties governing the use of spectrum.

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Publication date: 16 Jan 2015