The European Parliament (EP) adopted a Resolution on 24 September 2008 regarding European Commission (EC) Communication of 13 November 2007 on ''reaping the full benefits of the digital dividend in Europe: a common approach to the use of the spectrum released by the digital switchover''.
In the Resolution, the Parliament supports a common and balanced approach to the use of the digital dividend, which should ''serve the general interest by ensuring the best social, cultural and economic value in terms of an enhanced and geographically wider offer of services and digital content to citizens''.
The European Parliament therefore urges Member States to release their digital dividends as quickly as possible, calling on them to develop national digital dividend strategies by the end of 2009 while following a common methodology. Given the need for ''active cooperation between Member States to overcome obstacles existing at national level for the efficient (re)allocation of the digital dividend'', the EC will support the process, promoting best practice at European level.
The EP also affirms that a ''coordinated approach at Community level greatly enhances the value of the dividend and is the most efficient way to avoid harmful interference between Member States and between Member States and third countries'', whereby the EC needs to cooperate with countries neighbouring the European Union with a view to similar plans being adopted or to coordinate frequency allocation.
The resolution also notes that it is natural that the Member-States may consider auctions for the purpose of allocating frequencies that are liberated because of the digital dividend, whereby the Parliament considers that this procedure should be technology-neutral and in full compliance with ITU radio regulations, national frequency planning and national policy objectives. However Member States should adopt a common approach as regards the conditions and methods of auction and the allocation of the generated resources, whereby the Commission is called upon to present guidelines along these lines.
The European Commission is also urged to undertake various studies, in cooperation with the Member-States, allowing the presentation of a proposal to the European Parliament and the Council for better coordination measures at Community level on the use of the digital dividend, in accordance with internationally agreed frequency plans.
European Parliament Resolution of 24 September 2008http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P6-TA-2008-0451+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN
Commission Communication of 13.11.2007: Reaping the full benefits of the digital dividend in Europe: A common approach to the use of the spectrum released by the digital switchoverhttp://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2007:0700:FIN:EN:PDF
