October 04, 2008

Wireless Europe outlined


Speaking at the recent ComReg Conference in Dublin, Information Society Commissioner Vivianne Reding outlined the strategic importance of unlocking the economic and social value of wireless services as preparations for the future of these frequencies gather pace. The Commissioner emphasized that beyond allocating spectrum bandwidth to the digital TV switchover ''it is also clear that we need to reserve a large share of the dividend for other public interest services and for stimulating economic growth''towards a '50:50' split between high power (broadcast) and lower power (communication) networks.
As speeds approach typical broadband connection levels, wireless is becoming a true alternative, capable of competing with fixed network operators and spurring the move towards next generation access while effectively creating a more universal infrastructure. This has particular relevance to Ireland where, as the recent government consultation paper on high speed broadband points out, many remote communities are reliant on comparatively long copper local loops which make high speed internet highly uneconomical. The everyday benefits are especially significant to small rural businesses and to public sector operational uses including mobile broadband services to manage flood prevention systems and emergency response. Additionally the wireless revolution offers comparatively lower cost network rollout, better reliability and fewer and lower power transmitters and masts.
The Commissioner proposed coordination of approaches between national flexibility and EU-level synergies without a ''one size fits all'' approach. She emphasized that significant efficiency gains and economic savings could be made by allowing investors and consumers in Member States at various stages of progress to benefit from huge economies of scale. She reiterated that the Commission's telecoms reform proposals of November 2007 to determine which frequency ranges should be set aside and what the conditions should be for their selection and use, have progressed after detailed Council of Ministers conclusions in June and the Parliamentary Spectrum Action Plan resolution of late September.
Further details:
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/08/476&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=nl

Posted by iroronan at October 4, 2008 06:07 PM