Waiting ages for pages to load on mobile phones may soon be a thing of the past after MEPs today approved measures to free up radio frequencies for high-speed mobile internet.
Under the plan, member states will be required to open up more frequencies for high-speed data by 2013 to satisfy growing demand for wireless connectivity.
Many devices such as mobile phones, remote controls and satellite navigation are expected to benefit from the increased availability of frequencies. Such devices operate within a range of frequencies between 9KHz and 300GHz in the radio spectrum.
Approving the EU’s first radio spectrum policy programme, the MEPs said it would help to development of “fourth generation” (4G) wireless networks (eg LTE and Wimax) that can reach up to 100 Mbps download speeds. According to the programme, member states will have to authorise the use of the 800MHz band for wireless broadband by January 1st, 2013.
Currently, the 800MHz band is used to broadcast analogue TV channels in most member states, but this will be freed by the end of 2012 when all TV sets will be switched to digital.
This so-called digital dividend will be assigned to superfast mobile internet, aiming to reduce data traffic pressure due to growing number of smart-phones and desire for data-heavy services, such as high-quality video streaming on currently used “third generation” networks.
The intention is increase availability of fast broadband connections to people in remote areas and to give a new impetus to wireless internet services across Europe.
The 800MHz spectrum band is more useful for 4G wireless services than frequencies above 1GHz. This band is better at penetrating buildings and provides superior indoor reception and travels longer distances without losing strength. This is why it is cheaper to build a network around it using fewer masts.
Although the management of radio frequencies remains a national responsibility, the EU co-ordinates policy and sets standards, particularly in mobile communications. The European GSM standard for mobile phones, for example, is used by more than two billion people around the world.
Swedish Christian Democrat Gunnar Hökmark, who was responsible for steering the legislation through parliament, said the proposal ensured coverage and capacity will be made available throughout the EU - with a boom in the telecoms industry as a result.