EUROPEAN COUNCIL : EU LEADERS IDENTIFY FREQUENCY SPECTRUM AS AN IMMEDIATE PRIORITY.

• Position: European Union. European Commission - Brief article

The debate on the liberalisation of the radio frequency spectrum has made some progress for the first time under the Finnish EU Presidency. The issue has now been identified as one of the EU's "immediate priorities" in terms of innovation. An integral part of the European Commission's preliminary draft project on reform of the telecoms regulatory framework, the issue was discussed at the European Council on 14 and 15 December.

The member states emphasised the importance of introducing frequency allocation models that ensure all objectives are achieved. They stressed that "the rapid promotion of mobile services" represents another immediate priority in terms of innovation, as agreed at the Lahti Summit in October. They took a more prudent line regarding "the development of a coordinated approach" to the frequency spectrum. This should be achieved "in so far as possible'. It should be seen in the context of the switch from analogue to digital television which should free up parts of the frequency spectrum.

The...