Framework review agreement greeted with disappointment and hope

The Commission and several member states feel the compromise on the telecoms framework agreed by EU ministers didn't go far enough but there is optimism about reaching a deal in the lifetime of this Parliament.

Although Sweden and the United Kingdom criticised the "lack of ambition" regarding liberalisation of spectrum management in the EU, they did not block a majority vote by the EU governments on a reform of European telecommunication rules which aims to increase competition and consumer protection.

Read the full details at: https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/framework-review-agreement-greeted-with-disappointment-and-hope

December 2008 printed issue available for download

Our theme this month is the framework review package, which European ministers will be discussing in the telecoms council this morning.

We explain the thinking behind the compromise drawn up by the French Presidency and outline the Commission's concerns. Viviane Reding sees so little prospect of achieving a useful compromise she is hoping the RSPG will drive progress on spectrum policy, especially the digital dividend.

Read the full details at: https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/december-2008-printed-issue-available-for-download

Consultation: Consultation on regularising the use of personal locator beacons

ComReg is canvassing opinions on what the legal and regulatory requirements would be if the use of Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) were to expand substantially. Currently only individuals possessing ship or aircraft radio licences are permitted to register a PLB. However the worldwide increase in the use of PLBs in outdoor pursuits such as hiking, hunting and skiing has prompted ComReg to consider whether there is a danger of placing an unsustainable burden on the emergency services.

Read the full details at:
http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=840

EU member states set to water down telecom package

Although the telecoms framework compromise due to be agreed by Ministers on Thursday falls short of the Commission's hopes it contains general support for spectrum liberalisation and a boost for MEPs seeking greater influence in this area.

European Union member state telecommunication ministers are expected to agree on the future regulation of electronic communications in the EU (telecoms package), and specifically on radiofrequencies management, when they meet in Brussels on November 27. However, they will not go as far as the European Commission had hoped.

Read the full details at: https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/eu-member-states-set-to-water-down-telecom-package

New initiative on stalled GSM Directive

Brussels has released a new proposal to resolve the dispute between the Commission and the Parliament which for the past 18 months has prevented the re-farming of the 900Mhz band.

Under the current Directive the band is restricted to 2G GSM services. This means mobile operators are not allowed to deploy 3G services in 900Mhz, even though its superior propagation properties mean this would offer considerable savings by reducing the number of base stations.

Read the full details at: https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/new-initiative-on-stalled-gsm-directive

Commission despairs of telecoms review, looks to RSPG

Viviane Reding sees so little prospect of achieving a useful compromise at the European Council she is hoping Europe's regulators will drive progress on spectrum policy, especially the digital dividend.

2009 is going to be a year of unprecedented importance for spectrum policy, according to Commissioner Reding and Dániel Pataki, newly elected Chairman of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group. They used a rare press conference specifically on spectrum policy to make a dramatic call for action over the digital dividend as well as issuing a joint statement saying spectrum was a policy area in which Europe "needed more ambition."

Read the full details at: https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/commission-despairs-of-telecoms-review-looks-to-rspg

License trades show modest levels in Australia

More detailed information from The Australian Communications and Media Authority underline the difficulties of making international comparisons of spectrum trading.

To mark the fourth anniversary of the introduction of spectrum trading in Europe PolicyTracker has been trying to benchmark the success of the policy.

Read the full details at: https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/license-trades-show-modest-levels-in-australia