The European Union Member States have expressed their opinion regarding the revision of the Telecom Package. The revision refers to proposals the European Commission (EC) made in November 2007 to amend the 2002 Telecommunication Directives. The European Parliament already voted in September this year.

Watered down proposals

In its meeting of 27 November the Council has confirmed the Parliament’s proposals which watered down the Commission's proposals and it has even gone further against any new EU coordination mechanisms or harmonisation of radio spectrum. Under the Council's proposals the principles of service and technology neutrality are possible, with a certain number of restrictions, such as the need to fulfil a general interest objective. The proposals for harmonisation measures and a compulsory secondary market for frequency bands have been rejected. On the other hand, the Council recognises that coordination mechanisms should be more flexible in the way they manage radiofrequencies in order to respond to other needs. It is also specifically mentioned that Member States have the right to introduce spectrum trading if they want to.

Not all Member States were fully satisfied. In particular Sweden and the UK think the proposals are not very ambitious. The Commission also has expressed concerns as it was aiming for a fully flexible framework to allow technological and economical evolution. During the second reading of the proposals, the Commission will try to make sure that further steps in the direction of a more efficient use of spectrum are taken. The difficult economic situation in Europe will mean extra pressure to manage the spectrum resources effectively and in the interest of the economy. The Commission is also very committed to the concept of  'broadband for all', which it wants to achieve by 2010. 
 

The Council must now negotiate the final legislation in a second reading with the European Parliament. The final agreement should be made before the European elections in June 2009.

Digital Dividend

Another battle that the EC is handling relates to the 'Digital Dividend', the spectrum to be released after analogue TV switch off. For next year, the EC has commissioned the study ‘Exploiting the Digital Dividend – a European approach’ to help develop its strategy on spectrum and digital dividend. European broadcasters will have to actively contribute to the report in order to express their service requirements for use of the Digital Dividend. More information via: spectrum@ebu.ch