Est. 2min 28-03-2008 (updated: 28-05-2012 ) tv_girl_isp_M_Wisniewska.jpg Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram The public role of television should be protected in the allocation of radio frequencies made available by the changeover from analogue to digital TV, MEPs argued in a Parliament hearing yesterday (27 March). 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. Read more with Euractiv Car software to spot green traffic lights and cut CO2Driving through a city in the same manner as through the countryside, avoiding acceleration and thus cutting CO2 emissions: this may be possible thanks to car-embedded software allowing drivers to skip red traffic lights in congested cities, according to a study discussed at the 'Internet of Things' conference in Zurich. PositionsEuropean Parliament rapporteur Patrizia Toia said: "The 'digital dividend' should potentially create a 'win-win' situation for all interests". "The report will address the following issue in particular: Should market forces determine the best use of the digital dividend or should public policy objectives guide the process?," reads the press release published after the hearing. "EU legislation takes its time," said MEP Erna Hennicot-Schoepges (EPP-ED), wondering whether it would be still up-to-date at the end of the legislative process due to the rapid technological development. MEP Anni Podimata (PSE) said: "Public TV protects our diversity but is not necessarily capable of competing with commercial interests." Taking Belgium as an example, Jean-Paul Phillippot of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) explained that if the European Commission allocated part of the upper frequency bands, which are currently used for broadcasting, to telecommunication services, "the French-speaking community would be deprived of 40% of its broadcasting capacity, some parts like Liege even of 70%". Tim Hewitt of the WiMAX Forum underlined instead that demand for broadband services is constantly increasing. “We need more spectrum. We believe that 30 MHz are necessary for each operator to offer broadband services in a city”, he said. Simon Wilson of GSM Europe confirmed that they "strongly support the Commission's intention to bridge the digital divide by providing part of the spectrum released to GSM service providers". BackgroundThe spectrum of radio frequencies is a limited part of the electromagnetic spectrum as a whole, but it is extremely important due to its capacity to carry codified messages. This makes it an essential resource for telecommunication services such as mobile telephones, TV and radio broadcasting, satellite and broadband communications. On 13 November, the European Commission presented its proposal for a renewed use of the radio spectrum to take advantage of the digitalisation of television, foreseen in the EU by 2012. Increased efficiency of digital technologies will free up a portion of spectrum - the so-called 'digital dividend' (see our Links Dossier on the Telecoms Package review). The Commission is proposing a common European approach based first and foremost on economic grounds, but is careful to take note of "the other important social uses" which new technologies also permit. Brussels underlines the importance of reserving frequencies to pan-European services, such as radios to be listened across all the EU. Timeline 5 June 2008: Parliament's Industry Committe votes on Toia's report on the radio spectrum. 12 June 2008: The EU Telecommunications Council expresses its opinion on the Commission's proposals on reform of the telecoms sector. July 2008: Parliament votes on Toia's radio spectrum report in plenary. Further ReadingEuropean Union European Commission:Communication on spectrum reform(13 November 2007) European Parliament - ALDE group:Press release on digital dividend(27 March 2008) European Parliament - Industry Committee:Press release on digital dividend hearing(27 March 2008)
