EC proposes to boost mobile internet services with high-quality radio frequencies

The European Commission said in a press release on Tuesday that it had presented a proposal to coordinate the use of the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band (470-790 MHz) for mobile services, aiming to improve Internet access for all Europeans and help develop cross-border applications.

Radio frequencies know no borders, therefore spectrum needs to be better coordinated at the EU level to avoid interferences and to allow innovative services, such as connected cars or remote health care, to work across the continent, said the Commission.

Moreover, the European Union (EU) also has to cope with the growing demand for wireless broadband.

The new proposal comprises two major elements. In the 700 megahertz (MHz) band (694-790 MHz), the Commission proposes a common schedule for making it effectively available for wireless broadband use under harmonized technical conditions, and related coordination measures in support of this transition.

In the sub-700 MHz band (470-694 MHz), it proposes a long-term priority for the distribution of audiovisual media services to the general public, along with a flexible approach for spectrum use to cater to different levels of digital terrestrial television (DTT) uptake in member states.

The Commission believes the new proposal would make it easier and would reduce costs to develop innovative devices and services across the EU, as there would be no need to switch between different bands anymore or to adapt to divergent national requirements. Endit