Call for wider radio spectrum for third generation mobile phones
The European Commission is calling on Member States to negotiate additional radio spectrum to allow further growth of third generation mobile telephony. The extra space would also speed up the development of Galileo, Europe's satellite navigation system. The Commission's position is set out in a Communication that will serve as the basis of EU priorities and objectives for the World Radio Communications Conference 2000, taking place in Istanbul, Turkey, later this year. The issue will also be raised at the forthcoming Lisbon summit when it is hoped EU leaders will endorse the Commission's eEurope strategy. It is feared that without sufficient spectrum space, the jump to mobile Internet will be hampered, and the Commission wishes to ensure Europe maintains its lead in mobile telephony. Erkki Liikanen, Commissioner for Enterprise and the Information Society, said: 'The negotiations in Istanbul give Europe a vital chance to stake out a commanding position in the information society. If we cannot ensure sufficient spectrum availability for third generation mobile phones, this will severely handicap the leap of the Internet from being screen-based to hand-held. Europe will lose out, for the EU's big technological lead is in mobile telecommunications. 'Furthermore Europe's own Galileo satellite navigation system needs adequate spectrum availability so that it can develop quickly and cost-efficiently.' The main Community objectives to be reached in Istanbul is to identify the additional radio spectrum required between 2005 and 2010 to support further growth of third generation mobile, and to harmonise globally this use of radio spectrum to ensure cheaper cellular phones and the global availability of roaming services. In addition, the Commission wishes to obtain access to radio spectrum for the satellite radio navigation required by the Galileo system, ensuring it is operationally independent from existing satellite radio navigation systems. EU Member States will negotiate on an individual basis as WRC-2000, but with the adoption of this Communication, the Commission hopes Europe can work together, thereby strengthening its position. The Communication will now pass to the European Parliament and the Council for their consideration.