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The European Commission launched the i2010 initiative in 2005 to foster the renewed Lisbon Strategy during the period 2005-2010 within the area of Information Society development. The Electronic Communications policy contributed to the i2010 initiative, as it had done to the eEurope initiative during the period 2000-2005. The paper examines in detail two lines of action that got heft within the Electronic Communications policy implemented by the European Union during the period 2005-2010: the radio spectrum policy and the broadband policy. The paper keeps track of the evolution of both policies, and it demonstrates how they were gaining political relevance until they built a European broadband strategy by the end of the period, when it was finally subsumed in the Digital Agenda in 2010. The relevance of the paper lies in providing the historical background of the formation of the radio spectrum and broadband policies, which have become essential for the achievements of the targets of Pillar IV of the Digital Agenda.
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EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
Radio spectrum and broadband EU policies Towards a European broadband strategy Luis Guijarro Universitat Politcnica de Valncia
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
Objectives
To track two lines of action of Electronic Communications policy of the EU Radio spectrum policy Broadband policy
Focus on the period 2005-2010 To present how both policies were meant
to build a European strategy for broadband and, finally, built a Digital Agenda
Luis Guijarro 2
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
Background
Regulatory framework (2002)
i2010 initiative (2005)
Modified Regulatory framework (2009)
Digital Agenda (2010)
Luis Guijarro 3
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
Hypothesis
i2010 provided political thrust to Radio spectrum policy Single European Information Space goal
To accelerate the economic pay-off from digital convergence by [...] defining an efficient spectrum management strategy
Broadband policy Inclusive information society goal
To give guidance to extend geographical coverage of broadband in undeserved areas
Luis Guijarro 4
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
Radio spectrum policy
Market-based approach Proposed by the Commission in Sept. 2005 To implement at EU level by 2010: Right to trade individual rights to use frequencies in
a selection of spectrum bands for terrestrial electronic commun. services
Not welcome by EP and Council It would be part of the 2007 Reform
Proposals
Luis Guijarro 5
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
Radio spectrum policy
Flexible approach Proposed by the Commission in Feb. 2007
with the support of the RSPG Basically, technology and service neutrality e.g. 900 MHz band Abolition of 1987 GSM Directive in Sept. 2009 Technical measures to allow coexistence of GSM
and other systems in a Commission Decision in Oct. 2009
Luis Guijarro 6
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
Radio spectrum policy
Digital dividend Lack of coordination in the switchover from
analogue to digital terrestrial TV among MS The Commission first raised the possibility of
alternative use of digital dividend in May 2005 Finally, in Oct. 2009, the Commission
committed to open the 800 MHz band in an harmonized manner with the support of the RSC
Luis Guijarro 7
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
Broadband policy
Bridging the geographic digital divide A priority in the i2010 initiative, the
Commission urged MS in March 2006 to update their Broadband National Strategies: State aid applicable to broadband projects
(Guidelines) Exchange of best practices Promotion of connectivity for public
administrations
Broadband still played a minor role
Luis Guijarro 8
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
Broadband policy
Regulated access to NGAs It involved two draft recommendations with
their respective public consultations in 2008 and 2009
It struggled to solve the dilemma competition vs. investment by providing guidelines to the NRA in their imposing of access obligation in NGAs
Luis Guijarro 9
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
Broadband policy
The European Economic Recovery Plan Proposed by the Commission in Nov. 2008 to
avoid (uselessly) the risk of contraction for the EU economy in 2009 following the global financial crisis.
It contained a program of smart investments 1bn for developing broadband infrastructure in
rural areas
Broadband began to play a key role
Luis Guijarro 10
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
Digital Agenda
Published in May 2010 as one of the 7 flagship initiatives of the Europe2020 strategy
Identified 7+1 areas of action (aka. Pillars), where 16 key actions and other actions were proposed (100 actions)
Luis Guijarro 11
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
European broadband strategy Invitation by the European Council to the
Commission (Brussels, March 2009) Subsumed in Pillar IV of the Digital Agenda
Fast and ultra-fast internet access Three lines of actions
To use EU and EIB funding instruments to make targeted investments
To adopt an NGA Recommendation To develop a European Spectrum Policy
Programme
Luis Guijarro 12
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
European broadband strategy Communication on European Broadband
(Sept. 2010) To reinforce and rationalize the use of Structural
and Rural Development Funds Proposal for a Regulation in October 2011
Connecting Europe Facility Proposed by the Commission in October 2011 Same legal basis as the Trans-European Networks Allocation of 9.2bn to telecom./ digital
networks during 2014-2020 (reduced to 1bn)
Luis Guijarro 13
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
European broadband strategy
NGA Recommendation (Sept. 2010) Investment risk in cost-oriented access prices Level of competition in any given area Co-investments and risk-sharing promoted
Recommendation on consistent non-discrimination and costing methodologies In preparation
Luis Guijarro 14
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
European broadband strategy
Radio Spectrum Policy Program Proposed in Sept. 2010 and adopted in March
2012. Guidelines and objectives up to 2015. Digital dividend (800 MHz band)
Deadline for authorization processes: 1 Jan 2013
Transfer or leasing rights of use (market-based approach)
Shared use of spectrum Bands: 2.4GHz; short-range devices; TVWS Legally binding sharing contracts
Luis Guijarro 15
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
Conclusions Both policies have gained strategic relevance
within the context of the Electronic Communications policy of the EU. Milestones: Broadband funding in the EERP Digital dividend allocation to wireless broadband
The radio spectrum policy has found its role as a tool for realizing the broadband for all target
The broadband policy is struggling to influence funding, e.g. Cohesion and TEN
Luis Guijarro 16
EuroCPR, Brussels, 22/03/2013
Radio spectrum and broadband EU policies Towards a European broadband strategy Luis Guijarro Universitat Politcnica de Valncia
Radio spectrum and broadband EU policiesObjectivesBackgroundHypothesisRadio spectrum policyRadio spectrum policyRadio spectrum policyBroadband policyBroadband policyBroadband policyDigital AgendaEuropean broadband strategyEuropean broadband strategyEuropean broadband strategyEuropean broadband strategyConclusionsRadio spectrum and broadband EU policies