The chief executives of several major European telecom operators have jointly signed an open letter urging meaningful reform of the European Union’s spectrum policy as countries prepare for the rollout of 5G networks.
Telecommunications ministers will meet in Tallinn, Estonia on 18 July 2017 to discuss the conditions required for the successful deployment of 5G technology across Europe. In advance of that meeting, leaders from Deutsche Telekom, GSMA, KPN, Orange, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telekom Austria, Telenor Group, Telia Company and Vodafone Group endorsed a GSMA letter calling for changes to spectrum regulation in the EU.
The group’s concerns focus on current debates surrounding the spectrum-related provisions of the proposed European Electronic Communications Code. In the open letter, the signatories describe this moment as an opportunity:
“We see this as an unprecedented chance to champion genuine spectrum policy reform that will position Europe as a true global leader.”
They identify several specific priorities for reform:
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Predictability of rights: Introduce clear rules on future rights, including a minimum license duration of 25 years coupled with a strong presumption of renewal to give operators long-term certainty for investment.
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Peer‑review mechanisms: Establish an effective and efficient peer-review process to encourage sharing of best practice for spectrum award design and procedures.
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Voluntary spectrum sharing: Preserve the ability for operators to compete, innovate and differentiate through voluntary approaches to sharing spectrum resources.
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Fees aligned with use and coverage: Ensure fee structures reflect efficient and effective spectrum use and take into account obligations related to network coverage.
The letter stresses that reforming spectrum rules is essential for creating the right policy framework to support a genuine Digital Single Market in Europe. It warns that failing to establish a well‑functioning, investment‑friendly spectrum framework could hinder innovation, economic growth and digital development for decades. The potential consequences extend beyond the mobile industry to adjacent sectors that increasingly depend on connectivity and digitalisation.
This appeal for reform is not the first of its kind. Earlier, a cross‑industry letter similarly called for lighter regulation and criticised the EU’s cautious approach to 5G, arguing that overly timid policy could create a challenging environment for next‑generation technologies.
Do you agree the EU needs to reform spectrum policy ahead of the 5G rollout? Share your thoughts in the comments.