1. Digital Dividend and the Internal Market The “Information Society Parliament” Conference
June 2, 2011 | Budapest

2. Digital Dividend and the Internal Market
Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP)
Switchover from analogue to digital technology (by the end of 2012)
release of a significant amount of high quality radio spectrum
free for new services and new technologies
Commission Proposal:
Radio Spectrum Policy Programme → strategic planning and harmonization of the use of spectrum → ensuring the functioning of the internal market
RSPP supports the EU 2020 strategy and the Digital Agenda for Europe
spectrum has an impact on economic recovery, growth, high-quality jobs and EU competitiveness
need for a global EU spectrum policy approach
Digital Dividend and the Internal Market

3. Digital Dividend and the Internal Market
Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP)
Position of the European Parliament (adopted )
RSPP should ensure the functioning of the internal market in the areas of electronic communications, research, development and innovation, transport, energy, etc.
Efficient use of spectrum and effective competition → pan- European level playing field
Sufficient spectrum for mobile data traffic for the development of new services (at least 1200 MHz by 2015)
The EU should be the number one in wireless electronic communication broadband services → ensure highest possible broadband speed and capacity
Opening of the 900 MHz band in the near future
Digital Dividend and the Internal Market

4. Digital Dividend and the Internal Market
Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP)
Member States may reserve a certain part of spectrum for new market entrants
→ authorization and selection procedures need to be non discriminatory and promote effective competition
By January 1, 2013: Member States shall make the 800 MHz available for electronic communications services
Further harmonization and more efficient use of the 1.5 GHz and the 2.3 GHz bands
The need for harmonization of other spectrum bands (for example the 700 MHz band) should be assessed
Sufficient spectrum should be made available for specific Union policies (for example for Public Protection and Disaster Relief)
Digital Dividend and the Internal Market

5. Digital Dividend and the Internal Market
2. Roaming Regulations
Roaming Regulations I (2007), II (2009) and III (2012)
Eurotariff*
Active call (30/1)
Passive call (1/1)
Sending a SMS
Receiving a SMS
Data (wholesale)
Data (retail)
0,43 EUR
0,19 EUR
0,11 EUR
Free
1 EUR/MB
0,39 EUR
0,15 EUR
0,80 EUR/MB
default cut-off 50 EUR
0,35 EUR
0,50 EUR/MB ** ↓
0,90 EUR/MB **
0,70 EUR/MB **
0,24 EUR
0,10 EUR
0,08 EUR
0,50 EUR/MB
* Maximum roaming charge per minute in EUR (without VAT)
** According to first information on the Commission‘s proposal
Digital Dividend and the Internal Market

6. Digital Dividend and the Internal Market
2. Roaming Regulations
Roaming Regulation II
The regulation includes certain rules regarding data roaming
Operators have to impose a data-roaming limit of 50 EUR (unless other arrangements are agreed)
Operators are obliged to send users a warning when 80% of the data-roaming limit is reached
When the data-roaming limit is reached: operators needs to cut off the internet connection (unless the customer indicated they want to continue roaming)
Regulation applies until the end of June 2012
The performance target set by the Digital Agenda for Europe is that the differences between roaming and national tariffs should approach zero by 2015
Digital Dividend and the Internal Market

7. Digital Dividend and the Internal Market
2. Roaming Regulations
Roaming Regulation III
Commission proposal : June 22, 2011
The regulation should include:
First retail price controls for data roaming
The retail price for data roaming should refer to GB and not to MB
Competition should be increased (for example: Austria – compared to the rather small market a high level of competition)
A true internal market should be created
Protection against market misuse
Unbundling of roaming from the rest of the package
Customers should be able to select roaming partners
Charges for receiving calls could be invested in the infrastructure roll-out
Digital Dividend and the Internal Market

8. Thank you for your attention!
For further information please contact:
Dr. Paul Rübig, MEP
Rue Wiertz 60
B Brussels
ASP 08 F 167
Tel.: +32 (2) Fax: +32 (2)
Dr. Paul Rübig, MEP
Mitterhoferstrasse 17
A-4600 Wels
Tel.: +43 (7242) Fax: +43 (7242)
Or find me online:
twitter.paulruebig.eu
facebook.paulruebig.eu
Digital Dividend and the Internal Market