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EU parliament backs free wireless broadband technology
The committee on industry, transport and research is keen to make use of "white space" frequencies.
Under the plans, currently unused airwaves - particularly so-called "white spaces" - will be made available for consumers and businesses across the continent to access.
White spaces are bands that lie between frequencies allocated to other industries, such as TV channels and radio networks.
According to citizen organisation La Quadrature du Net (LQN), the open approach backed by the ITR will pave the way for the next generation of wireless broadband infrastructure to be developed. It compared the situation to the growth of Wi-Fi networks at the end of the 20th century.
The body stated the move could help to close the digital divide between urban and rural parts of Europe. If the proposals are given the green light by European Commission chiefs, it would enable local authorities to autonomously connect remote areas to high-speed Wi-Fi services.
This would also remove the necessity for communities to wait for private sector telecoms firms to invest in these markets, many of which could be deemed unviable for a commercial rollout of fast wireless internet.
Jeremie Zimmerman, co-founder and spokesperson for LQN, said: "Citizens should be thankful to the members of the ITR committee for their encouraging vote in favour of free and open wireless communications."
But he cautioned: "We can be sure that the telecoms and broadcasting industries will lobby hard in order to remain in control of airwaves."
In November 2010, Ofcom outlined the processes required for white space technology to be successfully adopted in the UK.
The industry watchdog backed the creation of a "geolocation database" containing live information regarding the frequencies that are in use in any given area.
This would help to prevent white space devices from interfering with TV broadcasts and other existing wireless equipment, the regulator explained.