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European Parliament harmonises 4G spectrum strategy
The five-year Radio Spectrum Policy Programme has been adopted by the European Parliament.
Proposed by the European Commission (EC) in September 2010, the RSPP supports a wide range of technologies and services, including wireless electronic books, mobile TV and smart energy grids, without affecting defence and other policy areas that require mobile spectrum.
According to the EC, 4G technology has an important role to play in ensuring every European citizen has access to basic broadband by 2013 and ultra-fast connectivity by 2020.
Under the programme, EU member states and the EC must complete several specific steps over the coming months and years, including authorising the use of the harmonised 2.5-2.69GHz and 900/1,800MHz spectrum bands for use by wireless broadband services by the end of 2012.
The 800MHz band must be authorised for the same usage by January 1st 2013 in a bid to improve access to broadband in sparsely populated areas.
An inventory designed to analyse efficient spectrum use in the 400MHz to 6GHz range is due to be published by the EC, with support from member states, by mid-2013 at the latest.
Commenting on the development, EC vice president Neelie Kroes said: "Adoption of the RSPP will help reduce the digital divide, make Europe a connected and competitive continent, and introduce more wireless broadband choices."
The decision on the first multi-annual spectrum programme has been welcomed by European People's Party Group vice chairman Gunnar Hokmark MEP, who stressed the news is positive for the European economy.
Some 3.5 million jobs across the continent are supported by radio spectrum, which generates more than €250 billion (£208 billion) of economic activity per year.
"We are taking an important step in creating a pan-European telecommunications market by obliging all EU member states to open the 800MHz band for wireless broadband by 2013," Mr Hokmark added.