BRUSSELS (WiMAX Day). The European Commission (EC) has issued a Communication that states its immediate plans to make its policies for radio spectrum more flexible. At the centre of the EC initiative is to implement technology and service neutrality in its spectrum policies that will provide for greater flexibility in the planning and use of spectrum resources.

Numerous segments of European industry are dependent on spectrum for their communication services. According to the EC Communication, the total revenue from this sector in 2006 “would be between €240-260 billion.” With the introduction of spectrum management policies that are market-based, combined with more flexible usage rights, the EC estimates this may add revenue of “€8-9 billion per year across Europe.”

Impact on WiMAX
WiMAX plays an important role in future spectrum planning because “Wireless technologies are an important means to bring broadband into the remote rural areas of Europe, thus overcoming the digital divide,” the Communication said. The role of wireless technologies has been a priority of the EC, and Viviane Reding, a Member of the European Commission responsible for Information Society and Media, previously stated that the “most significant factor enabling broadband growth is the existence of alternative infrastructures.”

The UK group PolicyTracker noted that there are five groups of radio frequencies that the EC has identified “where they will be seeking to implement a flexible approach as soon as possible.” Included in this group of frequencies are 2500 ~ 2690 Mhz, which is aligned with IMT-2000, and is prime spectrum for mobile WiMAX. The Communication observed that “the 2.6 GHz band… is of prime interest for mobile communications and accessing the Internet through wireless means. This band currently lacks a coordinated Community approach, which must be clear, proportionate and future proof.”

The 2.6 GHz frequency in many European countries is reserved for use with 3G services such as UMTS. However the EC states that immediate solutions are now required to open up “the frequency bands formerly reserved for GSM mobile communications, e.g. for 3G mobile services, and giving new products and services access to the frequencies released by digital broadcasting’s more efficient use of spectrum.” Such an action has “the potential to further develop Europe’s economy and provide real benefits to citizens.”

The frequency range 3400 ~ 3800 Mhz, known as Broadband Wireless Access (BWA), is the main WiMAX frequency range for fixed WiMAX, and was identified amongst the five frequencies that require immediate attention. BWA spectrum is presently under consideration for classification for use with mobile services, and is being considered by the ITU for recognition as IMT-2000. BWA spectrum is already approved for use with fixed wireless access (FWA) and nomadic wireless access (NWA), and in Europe is under consideration for classification for use for mobile access (MWA).

Next steps
The Communication states four necessary steps to achieve spectrum flexibility before 2010. PolicyTracker summaries these points as follows. First, European member states must “clarify the technical and non-technical authorisation conditions within the frequency ranges and ‘as a matter of urgency…remove restrictive conditions wherever possible’.”

Second, the EC will use “existing mechanisms to promote flexibility where it is urgently required,” particularly in forming a common approach for 2.6 GHz spectrum. The third step will be to ask European standardisation bodies to develop “harmonised standards for equipment operating in flexible bands so as to ensure avoidance of interference.”

The last and perhaps most important step will be for the EC to actively involve the “broadband, broadcasting and mobile industries to discuss with each other the best ways of avoiding interference and ensuring interoperability for the consumer.”