Minister of State for Infocommunications Zsolt Nyitrai, representing the Hungarian EU Presidency, Undersecretary of State for Telecommunications Magdalena Gaj, representing the upcoming Polish EU Presidency, Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission for the Digital Agenda and, via video link, Gunnar Hökmark, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for spectrum, met in Brussels to discuss one of the EU’s most significant legislative proposals in the digital agenda, the Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP – see MEMO/10/425).

The participants agreed that the EU must have a strong and ambitious strategic programme for spectrum if it is to ensure competiveness and growth and reap the benefits of technological innovation for citizens. In particular, they agreed efficient EU spectrum policy is a top priority for Europe and that the rapid adoption of an ambitious RSPP is needed in order to make more spectrum available fostering further increase in broadband deployment, particularly in remote areas, and allowing uptake of new and innovative uses of spectrum.

The key EU players have discussed the timing of the dossier and noted that considerable progress was made by the Parliament and by the Council during the Hungarian Presidency. They agreed that this momentum should be exploited under the upcoming Polish EU Presidency, with the aim of reconciling the Council and Parliament position and to reach an agreement if possible by the end of the year. All parties agreed to continue the constructive collaboration to ensure sufficient spectrum for Europe’s spectrum-based industries making an important contribution to the digital society, fast wireless services, economic recovery, growth, high-quality jobs and long-term EU competitiveness.

“Spectrum has been a key dossier of the Hungarian ICT Presidency programme. We have been making all the efforts to achieve agreement within the Council. Thanks to the work performed and the progress report prepared by the Hungarian Presidency, no major outstanding issues remained in the Council in connection with the proposal. Now we need to strike the best agreement, taking account of the views of stakeholders in order to provide Europe with the necessary instruments to compete on the global telecoms scene” – Minister Nyitrai underlined.

“There was progress made during the Hungarian Presidency and spectrum will be one of the main telecommunications priorities of the upcoming Polish Presidency, too” – underlined Minister Gaj. “We need a well–balanced approach as well as a good and close cooperation with the Parliament and the Commission, in order to achieve a compromise as soon as it is possible. There is a need for an early adoption, considering the deadlines and remaining implementing work. The right management of spectrum fosters economic growth and is essential for the digital Europe and creation of the single market. Spectrum could be also used as a mean against the digital gap, answering the needs of the EU citizens. A more efficient allocation of spectrum could also unlock the potential of the knowledge-based European economy. For that reasons the aim of the Polish Presidency is to accelerate works on that significant legislative dossier.”

Vice President Kroes said “An ambitious Radio Spectrum Programme is vital for the Digital Agenda and economic growth. Additional frequencies would provide better connections and speed for important new services. As other parts of the world forge ahead with major spectrum initiatives, Europe cannot afford to loose out through lack of ambition”.

“I want Europe to be in the lead. Because the lead in ICT, mobile broadband and Internet will give you the lead in new services, new applications, new technologies and new competitiveness in the economy as a whole. We must be in the lead creating room for the Googles, Facebooks, Yahoos and Apples, and Blackberries, of tomorrow, with companies staying and developing worldwide in Europe. We must be in the lead allocating frequencies making sure we have the best connectivity, capacity and speed for new services and the most modern economy. Bridging the digital divide. Paving the way for transnational services. Creating the opportunities for the highest speeds possible. That’s what we can do, as politicians.” – underlined MEP Hökmark.

Background

Radio spectrum is a resource of tremendous economic, societal and cultural value, as it is the basis of important services such as broadcasting, mobile communications, wireless broadband, navigation, public safety, etc. Radio spectrum is public good under national control, which, where appropriate, should be managed in a coordinated manner in line with EU principles.

The new EU legislation for electronic communications calls on the Commission to present a legislative proposal to the European Parliament and Council to establish a multiannual Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP) setting out policy orientations and objectives for the strategic planning and harmonisation of the use of spectrum. Spectrum policy initiatives are also key to the Digital Agenda for Europe and to the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The proposal for the first RSPP, presented by the Commission in September 2010, aims to establish a five-year policy programme to promote efficient radio spectrum management and, in particular, to ensure that sufficient spectrum is made available by 2013 for wireless broadband helping the EU fulfil its commitments in the Digital Agenda for Europe to give every European access to basic broadband by 2013 and fast and ultrafast broadband by 2020. During the Hungarian Presidency, the Council in its meeting on 27 May took note of a progress report together with a Presidency compromise proposal, while the European Parliament voted its report on 11 May 2011 (see MEMO/11/290).

The Council has reached a political agreement on the goals of the Radio Spectrum Policy Program (RSPP), which focuses on regulating the utilisation of the freed-up radio frequencies. The proposal aims to have enough frequencies available in the European Union so that anyone can have broadband Internet connection. This would implement the commitment of the European Digital Agenda that every EU citizen will have basic broadband Internet access by 2013, and fast or ultra-fast broadband by 2020.

No contested points left

At the press conference, which was held in the break of the meeting, Zsolt Nyitrai said access to broadband Internet, “Is a part of the promotion of equal opportunities for European citizens and of the EU’s competitiveness.” The Minister of State added that this prompted the Presidency to reach an agreement on every point of the document, as soon as possible. Mr Nyitrai stressed that the Hungarian Presidency’s progress report containing proposals for a compromise, left no more contested points between Member States. Mr Nyitrai added that the negotiations will continue at a high-level meeting in June, to reach an agreement by the end of this year.

Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for digital affairs, thanked the Presidency for its efforts at the press conference; but she did not conceal that some points still need to be discussed. At the same time, she said it is a positive sign that the European Parliament appears to be open. “It is a very optimistic opinion that we will reach an agreement by the end of this year, but the Presidency has done a great job so far,” Ms Kroes emphasised.

ENISA mandate extended

At the session, the Council adopted the Presidency’s proposal to extend the mandate of the European Network and Information Security Agency’s (ENISA), by 18 months. At the press conference, Zsolt Nyitrai welcomed the decision, which he thinks, “Will do away with the uncertainty around the agency”. Mr Nyitrai said that network security requires more and more attention, and ENISA plays a key role there. On a special note, the Minister of State was happy that ministers reached an agreement on the fundamental principles of future operation of the agency. “There is a real opportunity to modernise the agency’s operation within the shortest possible time,”said Mr Nyitrai evaluating the situation. Neelie Kroes also considered the agreement a success. According to the Commissioner, everyone knows that the activity of ENISA is very important, and “Every Member State needs the agency’s support”. Ms Kroes pointed out that the most important question is how ENISA will carry out its tasks. “Primarily, the agency needs to carry out its tasks efficiently.” said the Commissioner.

Strengthening digital trust

At the Council meeting, the ministers also adopted Council conclusions on critical information infrastructure protection. Zsolt Nyitrai stressed at the press conference, that the conclusions, prepared in consideration of the experiences of the ministerial conference in Balatonfüred, on 14-15 April 2011, sets out in detail that Member States must develop efficient and coordinated responses to the new and increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks and crimes.

At the business lunch offered by the Hungarian Presidency after the press conference, the ministers exchanged views on the implementation of the goals of the Digital Agenda. Afterwards, the Council adopted conclusions on e-government services. Zsolt Nyitrai stressed at the meeting that e-government services enables governments to provide better services for citizens and businesses in a cost-effective manner. The Minister of State also said that e-government services will allow citizens to further leverage the advantages of the single market.

“Network and Information security is a priority of the Hungarian ICT presidency programme. On the one hand we need to boost indispensable trust and network security at EU level by modernising ENISA. But on the other, we also need to ensure the uninterrupted operation of ENISA. We have a good chance that the Council would arrive to the end of the procedure on the temporary extension of the Agency’s mandate at the TTE Council meeting in May.” – Nyitrai underlined.

Nyitrai also met other MEPs during his visit in Strasbourg. Approaching the midterm of the presidency semester, the crucial EU legislative dossiers in telecoms were discussed with Gunnar Hökmark, Pilar del Castillo Vera, Catherine Trautmann and Malcolm Harbour.

The series of meetings confirmed that the Presidency is on the right track to fulfil its programme contributing to the implementation of the Digital Agenda.

The Minister of State emphasized that broadband development is crucial for the success of the Europe 2020 strategy aiming the improvement of competitiveness, creation of new jobs, and economic growth.

In his opening speech Zsolt Nyitrai, President of the Telecommunications Council of the European Union underlined that the Hungarian EU Presidency is working along a policy based on dialogue and consensus. This is of outmost importance in connection with the formulation of the common spectrum policy which is an essential precondition to improve Europe’s competiveness.

When available and managed and used efficiently, radio spectrum could make an important contribution to the digital Single Market, fast wireless services, economic recovery, growth, high-quality jobs and long-term EU competitiveness – pointed out Zsolt Nyitrai.

According to Nyitrai, smart spectrum policy is a fundamental precondition for the strengthening of innovation and creative industries in Europe.

Minister of State Nyitrai presented the programme of the Hungarian Presidency and its priorities related to telecommunications. According to Eric H. Loeb, Vice President of AT&T, the priorities have been properly selected as both security and spectrum are the utmost significant issues at the moment.

The parties agreed, that the need for an ever increasing mobility is going to define spectrum as an even more important and valuable asset in the future. Accordingly, Nyitrai underlined that the Hungarian Presidency is committed to give its best effort to achieve as much progress as possible on the European Spectrum Strategy.

Eric H. Loeb highlighted that spectrum coordination – both at EU and wider international level – requires special attention in order to maximize the benefits of economies of scale. Accordingly, one of the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency – regarding spectrum policy – is to facilitate the elaboration of the most unified EU position to be represented by Member States at the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2012 – Nyitrai added.

In terms of broadband development Mr Loeb also mentioned, that a country’s respective strategy has to take into account national peculiarities while building on international experience. Mr Nyitrai stressed that national broadband strategies are of indeed utmost importance in implementing the Digital Agenda for Europe in the Member States.

At the end of the meeting the parties agreed to continue the dialogue and to maintain the exchange of best practices in the future as well.

Minister of State Zsolt Nyitrai stressed the need for timely and appropriate decisions for Europe to become the driver and beneficiary of technological changes in the information age, without losing pace. He also added that the infocommunications sector has a crucial role in preserving Europe’s competitiveness and boosting the economy.

One of the legislative priorities of the Hungarian Presidency, in accordance with the European Digital Agenda, is the promotion of broadband through the elaboration of a common spectrum strategy.

The success of the Hungarian EU Presidency could significantly contribute to enabling a larger number of European citizens with extended area coverage to access cheaper and more advanced telecommunications and IT services from the state or the market.

This also means that in today’s world the ever dominant digital services will become part of every citizens’ life anywhere in Europe; whether at home, at work, on the train or even on the ski slopes. The Hungarian EU Presidency could have a significant role in achieving this – underlined Zsolt Nyitrai.

At their meeting, the parties reviewed the priorities of the Hungarian EU Presidency in the field of telecoms and information society with primary focus on the two most important legislative dossiers. Firstly, the mandate and modernisation of the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) and related to this, critical information infrastructure protection, another key topic during Hungarian EU Presidency term. Secondly, the Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP) and the preparation for ITU World Radiocommunication Conference.

The GSMA follows with special attention the debate about the RSPP. Mr Whitehead emphasised that more spectrum would be needed for the rapid development of mobile broadband in the future, however, now the primary interest of the industry is the earliest adoption of the first RSPP.

The parties agreed that a programme, which creates the framework Europe-wide for the widespread development of wireless broadband and other spectrum based services for the benefit of European citizens and businesses should be swiftly adopted in close and constructive cooperation.

At the press conference following the conference of the EU Member States’ Telecommunications Ministers the Hungarian Minister of State said that the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency next semester in the field of telecommunications will be centred on strategy, security, and spectrum policy. He also pointed out that the strategy will be driven by the European Digital Agenda, one of the flagship initiatives of the EU’s new growth and competitiveness programme (Europe 2020). This sets out specific deadlines and actions, thus determining the direction to be followed in the EU. Another important task during the presidency will be the monitoring of the implementation of the Digital Agenda and the evaluation of results said Nyitrai.

One of the aforementioned key legislative dossiers will address the mandate, modernisation and budget of the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA). Information infrastructure protection will be an important connecting agenda topic. The radio spectrum policy programme is also entering the legislation phase. Decisions shall be adopted with a view to effective pan-European spectrum management, emphasized Nyitrai.

Other priorities include universal services, mobile roaming tariffs, net neutrality, and e-government services.

The Minister of State also talked about some of the important forthcoming telecom events to be organized during the Hungarian presidency. The first Digital Assembly will be organized with the participation of member state representatives, MEPs and industry stakeholders to review the first year’s progress on the implementation of the European Digital Agenda. Hungary will also organize and host the CIIP Ministerial level conference on network and information security in April 2011.

Zsolt Nyitrai also noted that he asked his colleagues to support and be partners in this endeavour during the presidency. Major preparations are already under way and he also referred to meetings with ministers from other member states, EU Commissioner Neelie Kroes and key opinion-leader MEPs.

Zsolt Nyitrai started his official visit at Nokia Headquarters in Helsinki where the key players of economic development in Finland presented their future plans, also affecting our region.

The Minister of State for Infocommunications also held talks with senior representatives of Elcoteq, particularly with regard to the Hungarian investments of the company group. Nyitrai also had a bilateral meeting with the Finnish government delegation in charge of EU affairs to discuss and review EU Presidency tasks.

The official visit closed with a working lunch with the senior officials of the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications where the parties also discussed the forthcoming Hungarian EU Presidency – priorities in the fields of information society and telecommunications – and the setting up of a joint Hungarian-Finnish expert group on Digital Agenda.