EU regulation - 5 June 2005

EU Regulation:

The European Commission has unveiled plans to create common rules on broadcasting and on wireless spectrum use across Europe. The goal is to ease restrictions on advertising rules for traditional TV broadcasters, allow spectrum trading, boost the digital economy, add flexibility, update antic (16 years old) policy, harmonize rules between broadcasters, ISPs and telecom service providers. As part of the plan, EU Commission will propose spectrum management to be centralized under EU control. The positive side of this policy is certainly the capability to trade spectrum (i.e. 3G licenses) across Europe based on common rules (something mobile operators which have invested about € 100bn in buying licenses would appreciate). The negative side is the loss of control by states on a scarce resource. States and the European Parliament will have to approve the change. Hopefully, no referendum in sight!!