2008/477/EC: Commission Decision of 13 June 2008 on the harmonisation of the 2500 - 2690 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Community (notified under document number C(2008) 2625) (Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Decision No 676/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on a regulatory framework for radio spectrum policy in the European Community (Radio Spectrum Decision)⁽¹⁾, and in particular Article 4(3) thereof,

Whereas:

1. The Commission has supported a more flexible use of spectrum in its Communication on ‘Rapid access to spectrum for wireless electronic communications services through more flexibility’⁽²⁾, which, inter alia, addresses the 2 500-2 690 MHz band. Technological neutrality and service neutrality have been underlined by Member States in the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) opinion on Wireless Access Policy for Electronic Communications Services (WAPECS) of 23 November 2005 as important policy goals to achieve a more flexible use of spectrum. Moreover, according to this opinion, these policy goals should not be introduced abruptly, but in a gradual manner to avoid disruption of the market.

2. The designation of the 2 500-2 690 MHz band for systems capable of providing electronic communications services is an important element addressing the convergence of the mobile, fixed and broadcasting sectors and reflecting technical innovation. The services provided in this frequency band should mainly target end-user access to broadband communications.

3. It is expected that the wireless broadband electronic communications services for which the 2 500-2 690 MHz band is to be designated will to a large extent be pan-European in the sense that users of such electronic communications services in one Member State could also gain access to equivalent services in any other Member State.

4. Pursuant to Article 4(2) of Decision No 676/2002/EC, on 5 July 2006 the Commission gave a mandate to the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (hereinafter the CEPT) to develop least restrictive technical conditions for frequency bands addressed in the context of WAPECS.

5. In response to that mandate, the CEPT has issued a report (CEPT Report 19) on least restrictive technical conditions for frequency bands addressed in the context of WAPECS. This report contains technical conditions and guidance for the application of least restrictive conditions to base stations and terminal stations operating in the 2 500-2 690 MHz band, which are appropriate to manage the risk of harmful interference within as well as outside of national territories, without requiring that any type of particular technology is used, based on optimised parameters for the most likely use of the band.

6. In accordance with CEPT Report 19 this Decision introduces the concept of Block Edge Masks (BEM), which are technical parameters that apply to the entire block of spectrum of a specific user, irrespective of the number of channels occupied by the user's chosen technology. These masks are intended to form part of the authorisation conditions for spectrum usage. They cover both emissions within the block of spectrum (i.e. in-block power) as well as emissions outside the block (i.e. out-of-block emission). They are regulatory requirements aimed at managing the risk of harmful interference between neighbouring networks and are without prejudice to limits set in equipment standards under Directive 1999/5/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity⁽³⁾ (the R&TTE Directive).

7. The designation and making available of the 2 500-2 690 MHz band in accordance with the results of the mandate to CEPT recognises the fact that there are other existing applications. Appropriate sharing criteria for coexistence between some systems have been developed in the Electronic Communications Committee's ECC Report 45. For other systems and services appropriate sharing criteria for coexistence may be based on national considerations.

8. To achieve compatibility a separation of 5 MHz is needed between the edges of spectrum blocks used for unrestricted TDD (time division duplex) and FDD operation (frequency division duplex) or in the case of two unsynchronised networks operating in TDD mode. Such separation should be achieved by either leaving these 5 MHz blocks unused as guard blocks; or through usage that complies with parameters of the restricted BEM when adjacent to an FDD (uplink) or between two TDD blocks; or through usage that complies with parameters of either restricted or unrestricted BEMs when adjacent to an FDD (downlink) block. Any usage of a 5 MHz guard block is subject to an increased risk of interference.

9. The results of the mandate to the CEPT should be made applicable in the Community and implemented by the Member States without delay given the increasing requirements identified in studies at European and global levels for terrestrial electronic communications services providing broadband communications.

10. Harmonisation under this Decision should not exclude the possibility for a Member State to apply, where justified, transitional periods that could include radio spectrum sharing arrangements, pursuant to Article 4(5) of the Radio Spectrum Decision.

11. In order to ensure effective use of the 2 500-2 690 MHz band also in the longer term, administrations should continue with studies that may increase efficiency and innovative use. Such studies should be taken into account when considering a review of this Decision.

12. The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Radio Spectrum Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: