Spectrum Decision

The Spectrum Decision will have particular implications for the future work of the Agency. It creates, for the first time, formal EU machinery for the discussion of spectrum management issues. Under the new arrangements, the European Commission will be able to put proposals for spectrum harmonisation measures to a committee of Member States (the Radio Spectrum Committee) which will discuss and, if necessary, vote on them. Unlike CEPT recommendations and decisions these will be legally binding on Member States. This will provide a "fast track" mechanism within the EU for agreeing on harmonisation measures. The EU has previously adopted harmonisation measures, such as the GSM Directive and the UMTS Decision, but these had to be individually negotiated through the full Council and European Parliament machinery.

In addition, the Commission is proposing to create a Radio Spectrum Policy Group, which will be a high-level committee of Member States, and will discuss strategic spectrum management issues and advise the Commission.

It is likely that the Agency will represent the UK on these two new committees, which are expected to begin work in the second half of 2002.