The European Commission has adopted a draft decision on the harmonisation of the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands for terrestrial systems capable of providing pan-European electronic communications services.
One of a range of Commission initiatives aimed at making radio spectrum use more flexible, this proposal of 25 July 2007 envisages opening up these frequencies for advanced mobile data and multimedia services (such as 3G services that allow video streaming and fast downloads on a mobile handset). This could bring about an increase in the number and variety of European wireless services. Accordingly, the current proposal includes the repeal the 1987 GSM Directive.
The proposal further considers that the opening up these radio frequencies to new services will have a positive effect on the European economy, benefiting companies of the electronic communications sector.
The Commission expects that the measures it has put forward in the draft decision will come into force by the end of 2007, following formal approval by the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers.
