Hongaars Voorzitterschap: beleid radiofrequenties van groot belang voor Europees concurrentievermogen (en)

Establishing a common spectrum policy is a key element of European competitiveness, said Zsolt Nyitrai, Minister of State for Information and Communication. In a hearing on 12 January 2011, the politician said that a spectrum policy was needed that satisfied the growing information demands of European citizens and equally met their expectations regarding digital entertainment, everyday communications and e-administration services.

The European Union Member States, will switch over to digital television broadcasting in 2012. Therefore, the most topical issue of the spectrum policy is the utilisation of the 800 MHz frequency band, which is left free by the switchover. The band is planned to be used for electronic broadcasting mostly in the field of wireless communication services.

Going digital

As mobile devices are inexorably gaining ground additional frequencies are needed so that service providers can meet the demands of increasing data traffic, emphasised Nyitrai, Minister of State for Information and Communication of the National Development Ministry in a hearing organised by the Group of the European People’s Party i in Brussels. It is not all about consumers. A fast expansion of broadband stimulates the development of creative industries, and the promotion of activities that have a high level of value added.

Although there are still disputes in the Council over which frequency bands and in what schedule should be opened for wireless broadband services, Zsolt Nyitrai said: the aim of the Hungarian presidency in these issues is to reach an agreement so that the EU may take the lead in global telecommunications. Nyitrai added: Europe has to change gears as its global competitors, while they are communities with similar or larger numbers of consumers, respond to challenges more quickly than Europe does at present.

Zsolt Nyitrai, who will be the head of the Council meeting of ICT ministers in the semester, expressed his gratitude for the work of the Belgian presidency i, which, in his opinion, created excellent grounds for the Hungarian presidency in reaching its goals. Nyitrai emphasised, the presidency’s ambition, was to ensure close cooperation with the European Commission and the European Parliament in this matter. In this spirit, on 6 January the Hungarian State Minister held talks with Neelie Kroes i, European Commissioner responsible for the Digital Agenda, and Gunnar Hökmark i, responsible rapporteur of the European Parliament.

The Commission submitted a legislative proposal to the European Parliament about development of a multi-year programme on radio spectrum policy legislation in September 2010. This marks the guidelines and objectives of the planning and harmonisation of the union’s radio spectrum utilisation. Radio spectrum is a considerable social and cultural value, a resource that is owned by the Member States but may require a coordinated approach in certain cases.