New Radio Spectrum Policy Programme
In “A Europe Fit for the Digital Age”
The European Commission announced a legislative initiative on a new Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP 2.0) in its Commission work programme 2023. The RSPP 2.0 legislative initiative was expected in Q3/2023.
Article 4(4) of the European Electronic Communication Code gives the European Commission the option to prepare a multiannual Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP), which would then be adopted as a decision for the European Parliament and the Council.
The RSPP aims to set long-term strategic aspects of radio spectrum management for a specific period of time as well as to ensure a harmonization of the use of radio spectrum.
The first RSPP, covering the period 2012–2015, obliged EU Member States to award the 800 MHz band by the end of 2012 (with possible derogations) and also defined several targets for the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2 GHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.4–3.8 GHz bands.
No new RSPP was prepared after 2015. At present, the Radio Spectrum Policy Group - assembling national spectrum experts - adopted its final opinion on the next RSPP on 16 June 2021 recommending that spectrum strategies should focus on:
- promotion of spectrum sharing;
- better harmonization of spectrum bands; and
- continuous development of technologies relying on the use of spectrum.
References:
- European Commission, Commission Work Programme 2023, COM(2022) 548
- Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of 11 December 2018 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code
- Decision 243/2012/EU of 14 March 2012 establishing a multiannual radio spectrum policy programme
- Radio Spectrum Policy Group, Opinion on a Radio Spectrum Policy Programme, RSPG21-033
Author: Stefano De Luca, Members' Research Service, legislative-train@europarl.europa.eu