GSMA commends EU’s spectrum reform proposals
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GSMA commends EU’s spectrum reform proposals

The GSMA says the EU Commission’s spectrum reform proposals should support the 5G leadership needed to propel Europe back into the "Digital Premier League".

Yesterday, Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the EU Commission, tabled legislative proposals to revamp Europe’s telecoms regulatory framework, supporting a coordinated launch of 5G across the EU in 2020, with common spectrum bands. "We need to be connected. Our economy needs it. People need it. And we have to invest in that connectivity now," said Juncker, who has been president of the Commission since 2014.

The commission presented the plans as part of a broader new strategy to achieve ubiquitous high-speed connectivity across the EU.

GSMA’s director general Mats Granryd said: “The Commission has recognised the need to incentivise a step change in infrastructure investment in order to fulfil the potential of the Digital Single Market.Its spectrum policy reform proposals, for example, will help provide the consistency needed to underpin investor confidence. The Commission has also taken steps to reduce some aspects of sector-specific service regulation that are no longer relevant or appropriate in today’s dynamic and converging communications service market.”

“Telecoms markets have changed beyond recognition since the current set of rules was enacted” added Granryd. “Today’s markets are much broader in scope due to the convergence of digital technologies and services. Improvements to the Commission’s blueprint should focus on further incentivising investment and ensuring that European citizens benefit from a same service/same protection guarantee.”

The GSMA is calling on the Member States and the European Parliament to introduce further reform improvements to achieve "a step change in connectivity investment needed to underpin the Digital Single Market".

The reform package should support the 5G leadership needed to propel Europe back into the “Digital Premier League” and deliver the next wave of mobile innovation for Europe’s citizens and businesses. “It is time to lead, and to deliver for EU businesses and consumers the maximum benefits of the global digital and mobile revolution” concluded Granryd.





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