POLICIES :: eCommunications :: Hot topics
Hot topics for radio spectrum policy
The technologies and applications which make use of radio spectrum are amongst the most innovative and essential for economic growth. The EU has a key role in ensuring the best use of radio spectrum through provision of an optimum regulatory framework. The framework must ensure that appropriate spectrum is available for new and existing users, avoid potential interference between applications and support innovation and enterprise.
The management of radio spectrum in Europe is complex. Adequate spectrum must be made available to support important emerging technologies and this requires the fair allocation and reallocation of frequencies. To support a fully functioning internal market means coordination across 27 or more national regulatory bodies as well as collaboration with European and global radio spectrum bodies.
At present, a number of ‘hot topics’ are the focus of policy-makers:
Reorganisation: As demand increases for radio spectrum it is essential that this scarce and valuable commodity is managed and used in the most efficient way possible for maximum benefit to society on a pan-European basis. In particular, the ‘Digital Dividend’ that will come about when European television broadcasting switches from analogue to digital systems can make a significant impact in this area.
Transport: Radio spectrum has a major role in future transport systems, in technologies that can aid communications between vehicles and supporting sensing systems for increased safety.
Electronic communications services: Electronic communications services (ECS) cover access to wireless high-speed internet, advanced mobile communications and other information and communication technologies; in particular ensuring wireless broadband connectivity for all communities as called for in the Digital Agenda for Europe with the target of 100% coverage of 30 Mbps broadband by 2020. A flexible, market-sensitive approach is required in this dynamic, rapidly evolving innovative sector.
General authorisations: This area covers unlicensed spectrum that allows a large number of independent users to access the same frequency spectrum at the same time under a well-defined set of conditions and regulations. Short-range devices are a good example.
Shared use of spectrum: This area covers the unlicensed use of spectrum that allows a large number of independent users to access the same frequency spectrum at the same time under a well-defined set of conditions and regulations. Short-range devices are a good example, but not the only one. Increasingly next-generation radio access technologies such as Cognitive Radio (CR) and/or Software Defined Radio (SDR) promise to improve the opportunities to share spectrum access efficiently.