Legal provisions of COM(2000)407 - Regulatory framework for radio spectrum policy in the EC

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dossier COM(2000)407 - Regulatory framework for radio spectrum policy in the EC.
document COM(2000)407 EN
date March  7, 2002


Contents

Article 1 - Aim and scope

1. The aim of this Decision is to establish a policy and legal framework in the Community in order to ensure the coordination of policy approaches and, where appropriate, harmonised conditions with regard to the availability and efficient use of the radio spectrum necessary for the establishment and functioning of the internal market in Community policy areas such as electronic communications, transport and research and development (R & D).

2. In order to meet this aim, this Decision establishes procedures in order to:

(a) facilitate policy making with regard to the strategic planning and harmonisation of the use of radio spectrum in the Community taking into consideration inter alia economic, safety, health, public interest, freedom of expression, cultural, scientific, social and technical aspects of Community policies as well as the various interests of radio spectrum user communities with the aim of optimising the use of radio spectrum and of avoiding harmful interference;

(b) ensure the effective implementation of radio spectrum policy in the Community, and in particular establish a general methodology to ensure harmonised conditions for the availability and efficient use of radio spectrum;

(c) ensure the coordinated and timely provision of information concerning the allocation, availability and use of radio spectrum in the Community;

(d) ensure the effective coordination of Community interests in international negotiations where radio spectrum use affects Community policies.

3. Activities pursued under this Decision shall take due account of the work of international organisations related to radio spectrum management, e.g. the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT).

4. This Decision is without prejudice to measures taken at Community or national level, in compliance with Community law, to pursue general interest objectives, in particular relating to content regulation and audio-visual policy, to the provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC and to the right of Member States to organise and use their radio spectrum for public order and public security purposes and defence.

Article 2 - Definition

For the purposes of this Decision, 'radio spectrum' includes radio waves in frequencies between 9 kHz and 3000 GHz; radio waves are electromagnetic waves propagated in space without artificial guide.

Article 3 - Committee procedure

1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee ("the Radio Spectrum Committee").

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

The period provided for in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at three months.

4. The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.

Article 4 - Function of the Radio Spectrum Committee

1. In order to meet the aim set out in Article 1, the Commission shall submit to the Radio Spectrum Committee, in accordance with the procedures set out in this Article, appropriate technical implementing measures with a view to ensuring harmonised conditions for the availability and efficient use of radio spectrum, as well as the availability of information related to the use of radio spectrum, as referred to in Article 5.

2. For the development of technical implementing measures referred to in paragraph 1 which fall within the remit of the CEPT, such as the harmonisation of radio frequency allocation and of information availability, the Commission shall issue mandates to the CEPT, setting out the tasks to be performed and the timetable therefor. The Commission shall act in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 3(2).

3. On the basis of the work completed pursuant to paragraph 2, the Commission shall decide whether the results of the work carried out pursuant to the mandates shall apply in the Community and on the deadline for their implementation by the Member States. These decisions shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. For the purpose of this paragraph, the Commission shall act in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 3(3).

4. Notwithstanding paragraph 3, if the Commission or any Member State considers that the work carried out on the basis of a mandate issued pursuant to paragraph 2 is not progressing satisfactorily having regard to the set timetable or if the results of the mandate are not acceptable, the Commission may adopt, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 3(3), measures to achieve the objectives of the mandate.

5. The measures referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 may, where appropriate, provide the possibility for transitional periods and/or radio spectrum sharing arrangements in a Member State to be approved by the Commission, where justified, taking into account the specific situation in the Member State, on the basis of a reasoned request by the Member State concerned and provided such exception would not unduly defer implementation or create undue differences in the competitive or regulatory situations between Member States.

6. To achieve the aim set out in Article 1, the Commission may also adopt technical implementing measures referred to in paragraph 1 which are not covered by paragraph 2, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 3(3).

7. With a view to contributing to the formulation, preparation and implementation of Community radio spectrum policy, and without prejudice to the procedures set out in this Article, the Commission shall consult the Radio Spectrum Committee periodically on the matters covered by Article 1.

Article 5 - Availability of information

Member States shall ensure that their national radio frequency allocation table and information on rights, conditions, procedures, charges and fees concerning the use of radio spectrum, shall be published if relevant in order to meet the aim set out in Article 1. They shall keep this information up to date and shall take measures to develop appropriate databases in order to make such information available to the public, where applicable in accordance with the relevant harmonisation measures taken under Article 4.

Article 6 - Relations with third countries and international organisations

1. The Commission shall monitor developments regarding radio spectrum in third countries and in international organisations, which may have implications for the implementation of this Decision.

2. Member States shall inform the Commission of any difficulties created, de jure or de facto, by third countries or international organisations for the implementation of this Decision.

3. The Commission shall report regularly on the results of the application of paragraphs 1 and 2 to the European Parliament and the Council and may propose measures with the aim of securing the implementation of the principles and objectives of this Decision, where appropriate. When necessary to meet the aim set out in Article 1, common policy objectives shall be agreed to ensure Community coordination among Member States.

4. Measures taken pursuant to this Article shall be without prejudice to the Community's and Member States' rights and obligations under relevant international agreements.

Article 7 - Notification

Member States shall give the Commission all information necessary for the purpose of verifying the implementation of this Decision. In particular, Member States shall immediately inform the Commission of the implementation of the results of the mandates pursuant to Article 4(3).

Article 8 - Confidentiality

1. Member States shall not disclose information covered by the obligation of business confidentiality, in particular information about undertakings, their business relations or their cost components.

2. Paragraph 1 shall be without prejudice to the right of relevant authorities to undertake disclosure where it is essential for the purposes of fulfilling their duties, in which case such disclosure shall be proportionate and shall have regard to the legitimate interests of undertakings in the protection of their business secrets.

3. Paragraph 1 shall not preclude publication of information on conditions linked to the granting of rights to use radio spectrum which does not include information of a confidential nature.

Article 9 - Report

The Commission shall report on an annual basis to the European Parliament and the Council on the activities developed and the measures adopted pursuant to this Decision, as well as on future actions envisaged pursuant to this Decision.

Article 10 - Implementation

Member States shall take all measures necessary, by laws, regulations and administrative provisions, for the implementation of this Decision and all resulting measures.

Article 11 - Entry into force

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Article 12 - Addressees

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.