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Radio spectrum for a competitive Europe
Spectrum is an essential resource for one of Europe’s most dynamic sectors: wireless communications. As well as telecommunications, wireless enables a huge range of economic and social activities in areas as diverse as transport, healthcare, security and education.
The Radio Spectrum Policy Program (RSPP), presented by the European Commission to the Parliament and the Council, is key for ensuring that our industry keeps on delivering high quality services and for allowing the evolution to superfast mobile networks.
Digital dividend to boost EU economy
The RSPP targets the release of digital dividend (the portion of spectrum freed by the switch-over to digital TV) to mobile services in all Member States by 2013. We strongly support this approach, as we think it is essential to align Europe with other global players: superfast mobile networks are a key competitiveness factor for the EU. In Germany, where spectrum auctions already took place, we are already delivering 4G connectivity to citizens: check out the video below to discover more.
Refarming: using better what we have
The mobile industry made real progress on using the spectrum that we already have, thanks to the amended GSM Directive agreed by the European Parliament. For example, Vodafone can now offer 3G services to 90% of Romanians, expects to extend 3G services from 80% to 90% of UK consumers by 2013 and plans to provide 3G services to 1000 “digital divide” communities in Italy. Below you can download a presentation on these success stories.
Issues
While broadly supporting the RSPP, we identify two main concerns. First, any competition assessment in the RSPP should be subject to the same standards we find in the existing Regulatory Framework.
Second, we need to avoid excessive pricing of spectrum. When auctions take place, prices should not be used to tax one of the sectors driving the economic recovery in Europe. Any short term benefit to the public finances would come at the expense of EU’s long term economic future.
Also, on this topic:
Matthew Kirk's presentation to the EU Parliament on Mobile Broadband (PDF 862kb)
Speech of Richard Feasey at the European Parliament
Vodafone Italia, 1000 Comuni Project: 3G to digital divide communities
Vodafone Germany, the new LTE Networks
