The European Commission adopted technical rules on how the 900 and 1800 MHz radio frequency bands should be opened up to advanced 4th generation (4G) communication devices. The rules are an important step to bringing wireless broadband access to more EU citizens and businesses and to avoid interference problems with existing GSM and 3G devices.

The new Decision forms part of the Commission's efforts to ensure that wireless communications gain access to the radio spectrum they require to develop their full potential. In particular, the Commission's Decision sets out technical parameters allowing for the co-existence on the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands of GSM (2G mobile phones), 3G systems that add mobile internet to regular phone services (using the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System - UMTS) and 4G mobile technology delivering high speed broadband, using the Long Term Evolution technology (LTE) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) systems, enabling larger amounts of information to be processed and transmitted. Such coexistence is foreseen in the revised GSM Directive on the use of radio spectrum for mobile services.

The Decision sets up a mechanism for the adoption of technical harmonisation rules based on input received from national radio frequency experts. Based on the Commission's first steps to open the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands in 2009, Member States have already had to examine competition between mobile operators and address aDigital Agenda: technical rules agreed for using 4G wireless broadband devices on GSM frequencies. National administrations have until 31 December 2011 to implement the Decision into their national rules so that GSM bands are effectively made available for LTE and WiMAX systems.

Technical rules on how the 900 and 1800 MHz radio frequency bands should be opened up to advanced 4th generation (4G) communication devices have just been adopted by the European Commission. The rules, which are important to avoid interference problems with existing GSM and 3G devices, are an important step to bringing wireless broadband access to more EU citizens and businesses. The Commission Decision, which must be implemented by Member States by the end of 2011, will therefore help to achieve the targets of the Digital Agenda for Europe to give every European access to basic broadband by 2013 and fast and ultra fast broadband by 2020.

The Commission Decision will therefore help to achieve one of the targets of the Digital Agenda for Europe which consists in giving every European access to basic broadband by 2013 and fast and ultra fast broadband by 2020.