Experts from the GSMA recently participated in two key events; a live debate, organized by ViEUws, with the European institutions to discuss spectrum policy in Europe, and panel discussions at the Forum Europe 11th Annual European Spectrum Management conference in Brussels. Represented by Laszlo Toth, Head of the Brussels office, the GSMA emphasised the importance of spectrum policy in Europe especially regarding the current proposal for a Decision on the UHF band, as well as the forthcoming Telecommunication Framework Review.
Regarding the UHF proposal, Europe needs to coordinate better and take a forward-looking approach to the release of the 700 MHz band to satisfy the exploding demand for mobile broadband and ensure all citizens, whether in metropolitan or rural areas, benefit from the key socio-economic advantages of broadband connectivity. To this end the GSMA encouraged stakeholders to:
- Maintain the 2020 date for the release of the 700 MHz band, considering several countries have now auctioned the frequency and others plan to do it ahead of this deadline.
- Achieve cross-border coordination and publication of the national plans by 2017.
- Make the proposal 5G-compatible and future-proof by ensuring Member States can use sub-700 MHz spectrum for both downlink and uplink.
The GSMA also emphasised that the Framework Review is a key opportunity for Europe to implement the right spectrum management policy to help regain its global leadership position. Europe should take the following concrete steps to create incentives for investment and provide the predictability, consistency and certainty needed within the regulatory framework for Europe to regain its mobile edge:
- Spectrum should be assigned across the EU with the primary objective of raising long-term economic value for the economy, society and consumers.
- Spectrum licences’ duration should be at least 20 years, with a strong presumption of renewal with usage conditions centered on exclusive access to ensure quality of service, with enhanced flexibility for trading.
- Enhanced coordination focused on best-practices for award design and selection procedures followed by a peer-review process, for example, in the Radio Spectrum Policy Group
Spectrum should be seen as an enabler for growth and competitiveness in the digital age and Europe has the perfect opportunity, through the UHF Decision and Telecoms Framework Review, to better exploit the scale of the Digital Single Market and catapult the region into a position of global digital leadership.