EU frees up airwaves for wireless broadband
The European Commission has laid out plans for a coordinated use of wireless spectrum as the move to digital TV has resulted in more spectrum available for broadband. The Commission estimates that the plan will give the economy a boost of €20 to €50 billion.
“The digital dividend is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make ‘broadband for all’ a reality all over Europe and boost some of the most innovative sectors of our economy. Europe will only make the most of the digital dividend if we work together on a common plan. The Commission cooperated closely with EU countries, the European Parliament, industry and consumers’ representatives to prepare such a plan,” said Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media. “I call on EU countries to speed up the move to digital TV and to make it happen by 1 January 2012. I also urge national authorities to use the digital dividend in a pro-competitive way to open up the market for new operators and new services, maximising the impact on the economy. Only this will ensure the digital dividend is used to bring wireless broadband to parts of the EU where high-speed internet cannot be provided efficiently by other technologies.”
The digital dividend proposals adopted by the Commission requests the EU member states to complete the move to digital TV by 1 January 2012. Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden have already completed the move.
Under the Commission’s plan, the 790-862 MHz band (which allows wireless broadband services to penetrate walls, tree foliage and other hindrances better than higher spectrum bands) can be used to improve video streaming, voice, and other applications. The Commission is trying to harmonize the use of the 790-862 MHz band across the EU.
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