WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DECISION?
- It sets up the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG), a high-level advisory group designed to assist the European Commission in developing radio spectrum policy.
- It takes into account technical, economic, political, cultural, strategic, health and social considerations, along with the potentially conflicting needs of radio spectrum users, and is designed to ensure that a fair, non-discriminatory and proportionate balance is achieved.
KEY POINTS
The RSPG assists and advises the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union upon their request, at strategic level on:
- radio spectrum policy and coordinating policy approaches;
- coordination and cooperation between the Commission, European Union (EU) Member States and their relevant authorities on implementing existing EU radio spectrum legislation, programmes and policies, including Directive (EU) 2018/1972 (see summary) establishing the European Electronic Communications Code that extended the role of the RSPG;
- coordinating or harmonising conditions, where appropriate, relating to the availability and efficient use of radio spectrum;
- legislative proposals for multiannual radio spectrum policy programmes and releasing spectrum for shared use;
- Commission recommendations regarding the regulatory framework as it affects the radio spectrum, without prejudice to the role of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), set up under Regulation (EU) 2018/1971 (see summary).
RSPG membership
The RSPG membership comprises Member States’ authorities, with the Commission participating in all meetings and providing the secretariat. Each Member State appoints a high-level representative with overall responsibility for strategic radio spectrum policy.
The RSPG may invite observers, including from:
The observers may be allowed to take part in discussions and share their expertise but do not have voting rights and do not participate in formulating recommendations or advice. The RSPG may also invite industry representatives to present positions.
Operation
- As part of its advisory function, the RSPG covers a variety of technological, market and regulatory developments relating to the use of radio spectrum in the context of relevant EU internal market policies in fields such as electronic communications, the information society and other sectors and activities such as transport, research and development, or health.
- At the request of the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament, or on its own initiative, the RSPG adopts opinions and reports.
- The adoption is based on consensus or on a simple majority. Members who vote against the adoption have the right to have a statement attached summarising the reasons for their position.
- The Commission may set up sub-groups to examine specific questions and order external studies to support the RSPG’s work. Participants in RSPG activities and sub-groups are unpaid.
- The RSPG consults widely at an early stage with market participants, consumers and end-users. Such consultations are carried out with the objective of involving all relevant stakeholders, radio spectrum users, both commercial and non-commercial, and any other interested party. In addition, most of the deliverables of the RSPG are subject to formal public consultations.
- The RSPG publishes an annual work programme and most official deliverables of the RSPG are made public.
Repeal
The decision repeals and replaces Decision 2002/622/EC, which originally established the RSPG.
FROM WHEN DOES THE DECISION APPLY?
It has applied since 2 July 2019.
BACKGROUND
For further information, see:
MAIN DOCUMENT
Commission Decision of 11 June 2019 setting up the Radio Spectrum Policy Group and repealing Decision 2002/622/EC (OJ C 196, 12.6.2019, pp. 16–21).
RELATED DOCUMENTS
Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (Recast) (OJ L 321, 17.12.2018, pp. 36–214).
Successive amendments to Directive (EU) 2018/1972 have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
Regulation (EU) 2018/1971 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 establishing the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and the Agency for Support for BEREC (BEREC Office), amending Regulation (EU) 2015/2120 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1211/2009 (OJ L 321, 17.12.2018, pp. 1–35).
