EU expands wireless spectrum access

The EU is expanding the portion of radio spectrum open for wireless operators,

The European Commission on Monday ruled to open the 900mhz section of the spectrum for development as a possible mobile broadband network. The move could open up the development of next-generation wireless broadband services.

The new spectrum access comes as part of a revamped law on mobile phone radio spectrum. Officials are seeking to update and modernize the GSM Directive of 1987, which set the parameters for use of the wireless spectrum by mobile phone carriers.

By updating the law, EU telecoms commissioner Viviane Reding said that the commission hopes to expand mobile broadband and spur new growth in the wireless sector.

By updating the GSM Directive, the EU has paved the way for a new generation of services and technologies where Europe can be a world leader," said Reding.

"This reform will remove constraints on operators so that they can deploy new technologies in the GSM bands to develop high-speed mobile broadband services."

The EU hopes to officially open up the new spectrum space by October.

As many countries look to transition to new broadcast technologies and formats, the allocation of wireless broadband space has become a topic of discussion worldwide. In the US, a fierce debate was waged over how to best allocate wireless broadband space vacated by the digital television switchover.