The sixth meeting of the RSPG working group in charge of drafting an opinion on long term strategy for future use of the 470-790 MHz ultra high frequency (UHF) band in the European Union (EU) took place last 22 January in Madrid.
The main goals of the meeting were to consider comments received in the scope of the public consultation that the draft opinion was subject to and to arrive at a conclusion related to use of the 700 MHz band, especially regarding the date the 700 MHz band will be made available for wireless broadband (WBB).
Regarding the question of the 700 MHz band’s use for WBB, a new alternative text was discussed and the following unanimously approved:
“RSPG recommends that Member States make the 700 MHz band available for WBB as early as possible. RSPG supports making the band available for effective use by ECS by the end of 2020, noting that Member states may decide for duly justified reasons and without the need for derogation to delay the availability of the band by up to two years. This is without prejudice to constraints arising from cross border frequency coordination with third countries.”
The aim is for this draft opinion to be approved at the next RSPG meeting, to be held on 19 January, whereby the group decided its work was finished.
