The European Parliament approved in the plenary session a deal with Member States on how best to reallocate radio spectrum freed up by the switch from analogue to digital TV to new uses, such as wireless broadband services. The European Commission welcomed the positive vote to the agreement and stressed that the Programme will allow sufficient spectrum to be made available for wireless applications and services such as high speed 4th generation (4G) wireless broadband.

The European Parliament's adoption of the five-year Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP) has been welcomed by the European Commission because it will help to reduce the digital divide, make Europe a connected and competitive continent and introduce more wireless broadband choices, according to European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes. The adoption is based in a previous agreement with the Council which was adopted by Member States in October 2011.

The agreement with the Member Stated adopted by MEPs states that the 800 MHz band, currently used for TV, should be made available for wireless broadband services in all EU Member States from 1 January 2013. This will help create a pan-European telecommunications market where new services can create opportunities and growth for 500 million EU consumers. In addition, at least 1200 MHz should be allocated to mobile data traffic by 2015. Furthermore, the Commission should assess, no later than 1 January 2015, whether there is a need to harmonize additional spectrum bands in order to manage the exponential growth in wireless data traffic.

MEPs reminded that the allocation of radio frequencies is a matter for national authorities, but rules on how to divide up the spectrum among internet providers and users need to be agreed at EU level. Therefore, the approved deal by the European Parliament with Member States will help to accommodate exponential growth in the use of wireless broadband services.