Although still being shaped, the initial position of the MEPs responsible for spectrum reform seems to favour this line, which is not the best for telecoms operators.
In a hearing exclusively dedicated to spectrum reform, members of Parliament's Industry Committee raised a number of issues that are still being debated following the Commission's proposal.
"Should the released frequencies be allocated according to economic principles which guarantee their more efficient use, or should they take more account of public policy objectives?" This key question was posed by Parliament's rapporteur on the reform, Italian MEP Patrizia Toia (ALDE).
Toia also wonders whether the spectrum allocated to broadband wireless services for public policy goals, such as education, health or coverage of rural areas, can effectively fulfil these objectives.
"The bottom line is that at the moment we must work for a reform that favours all the economic sectors, both broadcasting and telecoms, while also bearing in mind that public services have to be protected," an official dealing with the European Parliament report told EurActiv.
However, the technical problems that the issue poses are currently preventing Parliament from defining a clear line. In these conditions, the only uncontroversial issues is strong support for a harmonised European approach regardless of national borders and the allocation of frequencies to pan-European services.
Firstly, the Council is expected to discuss the Commission's proposals and officially comment upon them in June. Member states currently appear to be somewhat sceptical. Parliament will then vote upon Toia's report in July, making recommendations on the legislative initiatives the Commission should take in the wake of its first proposal.
