Activities of Giles CHICHESTER related to 2010/0252(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
Radio spectrum policy (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the first radio spectrum policy programme PDF (636 KB) DOC (891 KB)
Amendments (19)
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) This first programme should in particular support the Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth given the huge potential of wireless services to promote an information-based economy, develop and assist sectors relying on information and communications technologies and overcome the digital divide. It is also a key action in the Digital Agenda for Europe4 which aims to deliver fast broadband internet in the future network-based knowledge economy, with an ambitious target for universal broadband coverage with speeds of at least 30 Mbps for all Europeans by 2020. Providing the highest possible broadband speeds and capacity, ensuring not less than 30 Mbps for all by 2020 with at least half of European households having broadband access at a speed of at least 100 Mbps, is important for fostering economic growth and global competitiveness, thereby achieving the sustainable economic and social benefits of a digital single market. It should also support and promote other Union sectoral policies such as a sustainable environment and economic and social inclusion for all Union citizens. Given the importance of wireless applications for innovation, this programme is also a key initiative in support of Union policies on innovation. At the same time (Digital) Terrestrial broadcasting remains the largest and most preferred TV distribution platform, both for Commercial and Public Service Free- to-Air TV (circa 60% of European households pick their primary TV signal from terrestrial broadcasting), and in many countries, is complemented by strong pay TV offerings. For this reason the Commission and Member States should take into account the unique technological, economic and societal benefits of terrestrial broadcasting when formulating the RSPP. Terrestrial broadcasting underpins media plurality and is a force for public good. It is currently the main guarantor of universal access to television, at a minimal cost, across Europe. It is universally available to European consumers across the EU and is the consumers' choice. Demand for linear TV is growing and not decreasing. Viewing habits for many European citizens have not changed and the overwhelming majority of viewing remains via linear television. Moreover in recent years, consumers have invested significantly into digital terrestrial TV equipment.
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) As underlined in the Digital Agenda for Europe, wireless broadband is an important means to boost competition, a pan- European level playing field, consumer choice and access in rural and other areas where deployment of wired broadband is difficult or economically unviable. However, spectrum management may affect competition by changing the role and power of market players, for example if existing users receive undue competitive advantages. Limited spectrum access, in particular when appropriate spectrum becomes scarcer, can create a barrier to entry for new services or applications and hamper innovation and competition. Acquisition of new usage rights, including through spectrum trading or other transactions between users, and the introduction of new flexible criteria for spectrum use can have an impact on the existing competitive situation. Member States should therefore take appropriate ex ante or ex post regulatory measures (such as action to amend existing rights, to prohibit certain acquisitions of spectrum rights, to impose conditions on spectrum hoarding and efficient use such as those referred to in Article 9 paragraph 7 of the Framework Directive, to limit the amount of spectrum for each operator, or to avoid excessive accumulation of spectrum) to avoid distortions of competition in line with the principles underpinning Article 5(6) of Directive 2002/20/EC (the ‘Authorisation’ Directive) and Article 1(2) of Directive 87/372/EEC (the ‘GSM’ Directive). Member States may also take steps to achieve more even spectrum allocation between economic operators by reserving spectrum for new entrants to a frequency band or group of bands with similar characteristics.
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Harmonised standards under Directive 1999/5/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity7 are essential to achieve efficient spectrum use and should take account of legally defined sharing conditions. European standards for non-radio electric and electronic equipment and networks should also avoid disturbance to spectrum use. The cumulative impact of the increasing volume and density of wireless devices and applications combined with the diversity of spectrum use challenges current approaches to interference management. These should be examined and reassessed together with receiver characteristics and more sophisticated interference avoidance mechanisms, with the aim of avoiding harmful interference or disturbance to the existing and future spectrum users.
Amendment 127 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Since a common approach and economies of scale are key to developing broadband communications throughout the Union and preventing competition distortion and market fragmentation among Member States, certain authorisation and procedural conditions could be defined in concerted action among Member States and with the Commission. Conditions could include coverage obligations, spectrum block size, the timing of granting rights, access to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and the duration of rights of use. Reflecting the importance of spectrum trading for increasing efficient use of spectrum, facilitating the emergence of new pan-European operators and developing the internal market for wireless equipment and services, these conditions should apply to spectrum bands that are allocated to wireless communications, and for which rights of use may be transferred or leased.
Amendment 138 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) To evolve from current practice and building on the principles defined in the Council Conclusions of 3 February 1992 on procedures to be followed at the World Administrative Radio Conference of 1992, and where the World Radio communications Conferences (WRC) and other multilateral negotiations touch upon principles and policy issues with an important Union dimension, the Union should be able to establish new procedures to defend its interests in multilateral negotiations, in addition to the long-term objective of becoming a member of the International Telecommunications Union alongside the Member States; to this end, the Commission, taking into account the opinion of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG), may also propose common policy objectives to the European Parliament and the Council, as set out in Directive 2002/21/EC .
Amendment 161 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 a (new)
This Decision is without prejudice to existing EU law and to measures taken at national level, in compliance with EU law, to pursue general interest objectives, and in particular relating to content regulation and audiovisual policy and to the right of Member States to organise and use their spectrum for public order and public security purposes and defence.
Amendment 172 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – point a
Article 2 – point a
(a) encouraging efficient use of spectrum to best meet the increasing demand for use of frequencies, while at the same time respecting the important social, cultural and economic value of spectrum;
Amendment 192 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – point d
Article 2 – point d
(d) guaranteeing the functioningdevelopment of the internal market, in particular and digital services by ensuring effective competition. , a level playing field and by promoting the emergence of new pan-European operators.
Amendment 210 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – point a
Article 3 – point a
(a) make sufficient appropriate spectrum available in a timely manner to support Union policy objectives;, while taking into account general interest objectives such as cultural diversity and media pluralism, as well as the interests of various radio spectrum users.
Amendment 230 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – point b
Article 3 – point b
(b) maximise flexibility in the use of spectrum, to promote innovation and investment, through thea consistent application of the principles of technology and service neutrality and through adequate regulatory predictability, the opening of harmonised spectrum to new advanced services, and the possibility to trade spectrum rights; thereby opening up for pan-European services;
Amendment 258 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Article 4 – paragraph 4
4. Member States shall ensure that selection conditions and procedures promote investment and efficient use of spectrum. In addition, Member States shall promote the ongoing efficient use of spectrum for both networks and user applications.
Amendment 274 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. In order to implement fully the obligations of paragraph 1, and in particular to ensure that competition is not distorted by any accumulation, transfer or modification of rights of use for radio frequencies, Member States may adopt inter aliashall, when planning to assign spectrum, carefully examine whether the planned spectrum assignment - taking into account the existing spectrum assignments to the competing mobile operators in their territory - is likely to reduce or distort competition in the mobile markets concerned. Where the planned spectrum assignment - taking into account existing spectrum assignments - is likely to result in the reduction or distortion of competition, Member States shall address such reduction or distortion by adopting at least one of the following measures, which are without prejudice to the application of competition rules:
Amendment 288 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall ensure that authorisation and selection procedures avoid delays and promote effective competition by preventing any potential anti-competitive outcomes for the benefit of EU citizens and consumers.
Amendment 314 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall, by 1 January 2013 make the 800 MHz band available for electronic communications services in line with the harmonised technical conditions laid down pursuant to the Decision No 676/2002/EC. In Member States where exceptional national or local circumstances would prevent the availability of the band,Only in cases duly justified for technical reasons the Commission may authorise specific derogations until 2015. In accordance with Article 9 of Directive 2002/21/EC , the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall keep under review the use of the spectrum below 1GHz and assess whether additional spectrum could be freed and made available forin order to meet an increasing demand for wireless broadband and new applications.
Amendment 339 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Article 6 – paragraph 4
4. Member States, in cooperation with the Commission, shall ensure that the provision of access to broadband content and services using the 790-862 MHz (800MHz) band is encouraged in sparsely populated areas, in particular through coverage obligations; in doing so, they shall examine ways and, where necessary, take appropriate measures to ensure that the freeing of the 800 MHz band does not adversely affect programme making and special events (PMSE) users nor lead to disruption of the existing broadcasting services.
Amendment 343 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The Member States, in cooperation with the Commission, shall implement necessary technical and regulatory measures in order to avoid harmful interference from electronic communications services in the 800 MHz band to broadcasting and PMSE services below 790 MHz.
Amendment 372 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission, assisted by the Member States, which shall provide all appropriate information on spectrum use, shall create an inventory of the entire existing radio spectrum use and of possible future needs for spectrum in the Union, in particular in the range from 300 MHz to 3 GHz.
Amendment 386 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. The inventory referred to in paragraph (1) shall allow the assessment of the technical efficiency of existing spectrum uses and the identification of inefficient technologies and applications, unused or inefficiently used spectrum and spectrum sharing opportunities, based on clearly defined and transparent assessment criteria and methodologies. It shall take into account future needs for spectrum based on consumers’ and operators’ demands, and of the possibility to meet such needs.
Amendment 396 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1