The RSPG working group on Framework Review met last 8 February in Brussels. The group, co-chaired by France (ANFR) and Hungary (NMHH), is responsible for accompanying the review of the new regulatory framework (WG FWR). Part of the meeting’s time was used by the Digital Single Market Strategy working group (WG DSM Strategy), which developed the peer-review designated platform for recent and/or ongoing spectrum allocation processes, particularly envisaging mobile broadband.
Participants in this meeting included representatives from the European Commission and delegates from twelve member states, including Portugal (ANACOM).
At the gathering, which was held on the day after the RSPG plenary meeting that approved its proposed opinion on the regulatory framework review prepared by WG DSM Strategy, WG FWR continued its analysis of the proposed directive known as the European Code for Electronic Communications, with a view to continuing to assist the Council and the European Parliament in the first discussion rounds of those bodies, now beginning. The following topics were particularly debated at this meeting: (i) concept of use it or lose it; (ii) licence duration; (iii) renewal of rights; (iv) shared use; (v) alternative use; and (vi) small cells. Based on the debate of the topics identified a decision will be made about whether there will be material to produce a more detailed document.
Part of the meeting was also used by WG DSM Strategy, with the peer-review platform launched, to consider some details concerning its operation (e.g. decide on the best way to organise information) and urge/stress that it is important for member states to feed this database with information about the respective allocation processes and ask their peers the questions they deem pertinent.
The WG meeting was also important for ascertaining how the group will interact with the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) in the pursuit of BEREC working programme actions where RSPG intervention is or may eventually be required vis-à-vis the following:
- RSPG and BEREC joint report on mobile connectivity in ‘challenge areas’;
- BEREC/RSPG workshop on spectrum needs to foster innovation;
- BEREC common position on monitoring mobile network coverage (in this case, the RSPG will collaborate if BEREC so requests).
The next WG FWR meeting has been scheduled for 10 May, possibly in Brussels, in time to finish what the group has been producing for approval at the 6 June plenary meeting.
