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EC unveils spectrum sharing plans
The European Commission hopes to improve wireless broadband services by allowing spectrum sharing.
Under the proposals, wireless technologies - including broadband - will be allowed to split existing spectrum in a move the commission hopes will lead to improved mobile network capacity and cheaper wireless internet services.
In addition, the administration believes the plans could result in the development of new markets, such as trackable secondary rights for parts of the spectrum allocation.
At present, national spectrum regulation leaves mobile and broadband users at risk of receiving a poor service due to growing demand, the EC explained.
According to Ericsson, mobile data traffic will grow tenfold between 2011 and 2016, primarily driven by video streaming.
Neelie Kroes, vice president of the EC responsible for the Digital Agenda, said: "Radio spectrum is economic oxygen - it is used by every single person and business.
"If we run out of spectrum then mobile networks and broadband won't work."