UHF2 realignment study - Ofcom Licensing

eview of the Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications, the Commission has
signalled its intention to adopt legally binding instruments to:
240689 - 450-470 Study Final Print
Version (Dec08).doc
Achieve the introduction of technology and service neutral spectrum use as a
default position (through the WAPECs concept);
Establish a committee process to identify selected bands for use under
general authorisation;
Develop a common framework for spectrum trading in the EU.
This strategy is aimed at ensuring a common approach within the EU to managing spectrum
resources that will allow innovators to place new technologies on the EU single market
quickly and with legal certainty. By putting in place a common framework across the EU the
costs to organisations of acquiring and using spectrum in Europe on a multi-national and
possibly a pan-European basis are expected to be reduced.
More recently, following two years of consultations with stakeholders, with national
regulators and with users of telecoms services, the Commission has proposed a review of
the telecoms framework 7 . The proposals are due to be debated in the European Parliament,
and by Member State governments in the Council. Once adopted by the EU the revised rules
have to be incorporated into national law before taking effect. The Commission expects the
new framework to be in place from 2010 onwards. The most pertinent part of the telecoms
framework proposals to this study is the ‘new deal for Radio spectrum’, where the
commission wish to drive a common approach to radio spectrum management, particularly
for the Digital Dividend. Although the proposals may be a radical change for some European
regulators, the proposals are in the main in line with the UK.
3.4 Electronic Communications Committee (ECC)
Historically, the approach to harmonising spectrum use in Europe has been predominantly
on the basis of Recommendations or Decisions issued by the ECC within CEPT. There are
certain exceptions, such as the spectrum allocated to DECT cordless phones, which is
mandated by an EC Directive. ECC Recommendations are limited in the extent to which they
can support harmonisation, as they are voluntary in nature and there is no obligation on
individual Member States to implement them. ECC Decisions carry greater weight, in that
once Member States have committed to implement the Decision they are obliged to
implement them, usually by means of transposition into national legislation or incorporation
into the national frequency allocation table. However, there is no obligation on Member
States to commit to ECC Decisions.
The ECC Recommendation T/R 25-08: ‘Planning criteria and coordination of frequencies in
the Land Mobile services in the range 29.7 – 960 MHz’ describes the UHF2 frequency band
7 Proposals for reform of the EU telecoms rules 13 November 2007:
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/itemlongdetail.cfm?item_id=3701
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