October 31, 2009

More spectrum for wireless Internet in Europe?

The European Commission is urging Member States to use the digital dividend in order to develop Internet wireless communications, instead of allocating the available frequencies to TV channels:

The top radio frequencies freed by technological updates should be devoted to new services, such as wireless Internet and high-definition mobile offers, rather than being allocated to extra broadcasting uses, the European Commission proposes.

“The digital dividend is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make ‘broadband for all’ a reality all over Europe and boost some of the most innovative sectors of our economy,” underlined Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding.


It seems to be a technical matter, but it is in fact a political one: Should society:

- give a limited public resources (radio spectrum) to a few commercial and/or state-owned TV channel

- or use it for applications that provide an open platform of communications for all citizens (Internet)?

This is all the more important considering the new possibilities for wireless Internet communications, and in particular unlicensed uses of white spaces. The latter are the more suited for expanding Internet access to parts of the population to do not have broadband, either for geographic or socio-economic reasons, thus making the Internet even more democratic. Unlicensed uses of radio spectrum for wireless Internet will also spur innovation and bring about the new and exciting Internet applications that Mrs. Reding calls for.

This is yet another initiative on the part of the Commission, after a reflection paper on the future of copyright. It seems that IT policy will be on top of the European agenda in the next months.

http://www.euractiv.com/en/infosociety/brussels-backs-telecoms-tvs-frequency-fight/article-186816