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Summaries of EU Legislation

Frequency bands for electronic communication

SUMMARY OF:

Directive 87/372/EEC on the frequency bands to be reserved for the coordinated introduction of public pan-European cellular digital land-based mobile communications in the Community

Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/340 on harmonised conditions for the use of radio spectrum for mobile communication services on board vessels in the Union

Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/173 on the harmonisation of the 900 MHz and 1 800 MHz frequency bands for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the EU

Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/667 updating relevant technical conditions applicable to the frequency bands 1 920-1 980 MHz and 2 110-2 170 MHz

Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/636 amending Decision 2008/477/EC on relevant technical conditions applicable to the 2 500-2 690 MHz frequency band

Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/590 amending Decision (EU) 2019/784 on relevant technical conditions applicable to the 24,25-27,5 GHz frequency band

Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/784 on harmonisation of the 24,25-27,5 GHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing wireless broadband electronic communications services in the Union

Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/235 on amending Decision 2008/411/EC as regards an update of relevant technical conditions applicable to the 3 400-3 800 MHz frequency band

Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/661 amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/750 on the harmonisation of the 1 452-1 492 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Union as regards its extension in the harmonised 1 427-1 452 MHz and 1 492-1 517 MHz frequency bands

Decision (EU) 2017/899 on the use of the 470-790 MHz frequency band in the Union

Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/2317 amending Decision 2008/294/EC and Implementing Decision 2013/654/EU, in order to simplify the operation of mobile communications on board aircraft (MCA services) in the Union

Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/687 on the harmonisation of the 694-790 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing wireless broadband electronic communications services and for flexible national use in the Union

Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/750 on the harmonisation of the 1 452-1 492 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Union

Implementing Decision 2014/276/EU on amending Decision 2008/411/EC on the harmonisation of the 3 400-3 800 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Community

Implementing Decision 2013/654/EU amending Decision 2008/294/EC to include additional access technologies and frequency bands for mobile communications services on aircraft (MCA services)

Implementing Decision 2012/688/EU on the harmonisation of the frequency bands 1920-1980 MHz and 2110-2170 MHz for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Union

Decision 2010/267/EU on harmonised technical conditions of use in the 790-862 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the European Union

Decision 2008/477/EC on the harmonisation of the 2 500-2 690 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Community

Decision 2008/411/EC on the harmonisation of the 3 400-3 800 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Community

Decision 2008/294/EC on harmonised conditions of spectrum use for the operation of mobile communication services on aircraft (MCA services) in the Community

Decision 2007/98/EC on the harmonised use of radio spectrum in the 2 GHz frequency bands for the implementation of systems providing mobile satellite services

Decision 2006/771/EC on harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range devices

WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF THE DIRECTIVE AND THE DECISIONS?

  • Directive 87/372/EEC sets out, in general terms, the frequency bands to be reserved for a public European cellular digital mobile communications service by , and calls upon European Union (EU) Member States to make the necessary preparations as quickly as possible.
  • EU legislation, through this series of decisions relating to frequency bands used for electronic communications services and networks, along with other applications relating to the internal market, seeks to harmonise technical allocation and coordinate the authorisation of the use of the radio spectrum.

KEY POINTS

Directive 87/372/EEC as amended by Directive 2009/114/EC

While Council Directive 2009/114/EC confirmed the allocation of the 900 megahertz (MHz) band for the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) as the system of technical reference in that band, Member States must make the 880–915 MHz and 925–960 MHz frequency bands (the 900 MHz band) available for GSM and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) systems, along with other terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services that can coexist with GSM systems, in accordance with radio spectrum policy in the EU.

EU bandwidth decisions

  • EU legislation relating to frequency bands used for electronic communications services and networks can be divided into decisions seeking to harmonise technical allocation and decisions coordinating the authorisation of the use of the spectrum.
  • Flexibility is achieved through authorisations that are as technology- and service-neutral as possible so that radio spectrum users may choose the best technologies and services to apply in the spectrum bands declared available for electronic communications services in the relevant national frequency allocation plans.
  • Restrictions to the principles of technology and service neutrality apply only in a limited number of cases, in particular, where it is necessary to avoid harmful interference, to protect public health, to ensure an adequate level of technical quality of service or when general interest objectives are at stake.
  • A number of these measures also seek to coordinate the timing of the granting of rights by Member States to use harmonised spectrum in relation to electronic communications services and networks. This includes the European Electronic Communications Code, which puts in place general rules for any radio spectrum that has been harmonised pursuant to the radio spectrum decision (Decision No 676/2002/EC – see summary) and the pioneer bands for 5G very high-speed wireless broadband communications (3.6 gigahertz (GHz) and 26 GHz bands). This is complemented by a series of other bands in lower frequencies.
  • In the same way, Decision (EU) 2017/899 set a deadline for the use of the 700 MHz band for 5G mobile communications, while Article 6 of Decision No 243/2012/EU establishing a multiannual radio spectrum policy programme covered 800 MHz and other harmonised bands (3.6 GHz, 2.6 GHz, 900 and 1,800 MHz).
  • The frequency bands harmonised in these decisions are as follows:
    • frequency bands to be reserved for cellular digital land-based mobile communications in the EU;
    • radio spectrum for use by short-range devices;
    • spectrum use for mobile communication services on aircraft;
    • the 3,400–3,800 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems;
    • the 2,500–2,690 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems;
    • the 900 MHz and 1,800 MHz frequency bands for terrestrial systems;
    • radio spectrum for mobile communication services on board vessels;
    • the 790–862 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems;
    • the 1,920–1,980 MHz and 2,110–2,170 MHz frequency bands for terrestrial systems;
    • the 1,980–2,010 MHz and 2,170–2,200 MHz frequency bands for satellite communications;
    • the 1,452–1,492 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems and its extension in the 1,427–1,452 MHz and 1,492–1,517 MHz frequency bands;
    • the 694–790 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems;
    • the 470–790 MHz frequency band;
    • the 24.25–27.5 GHz frequency band for terrestrial systems.

FROM WHEN DO THE DIRECTIVE AND THE DECISIONS APPLY?

Directive 87/372/EEC as amended by Directive 2009/114/EC had to be transposed into national law by .

DecisionDate of application
Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/340
Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/173
Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/667
Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/636
Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/590
Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/784
Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/235
Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/661
Decision (EU) 2017/899
Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/2317
Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/687
Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/750
Implementing Decision 2014/276/EU
Implementing Decision 2013/654/EU
Implementing Decision 2012/688/EU
Decision 2010/267/EU
Decision 2008/477/EC
Decision 2008/411/EC
Decision 2008/294/EC
Decision 2007/98/EC
Decision 2006/771/EC

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Council Directive 87/372/EEC of on the frequency bands to be reserved for the coordinated introduction of public pan-European cellular digital land-based mobile communications in the Community (OJ L 196, , pp. 85–86).

Successive amendments to Directive 87/372/EEC have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/340 of on harmonised conditions for the use of radio spectrum for mobile communication services on board vessels in the Union, repealing Decision 2010/166/EU (OJ L, 2024/340, ).

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/173 of on the harmonisation of the 900 MHz and 1 800 MHz frequency bands for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Union and repealing Decision 2009/766/EC (notified under document C(2022) 605) (OJ L 28, , pp. 29–39).

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/667 of amending Decision 2012/688/EU as regards an update of relevant technical conditions applicable to the frequency bands 1 920-1 980 MHz and 2 110-2 170 MHz (OJ L 156, , pp. 6–12).

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/636 of amending Decision 2008/477/EC as regards an update of relevant technical conditions applicable to the 2 500-2 690 MHz frequency band (OJ L 149, , pp. 3–11).

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/590 of amending Decision (EU) 2019/784 as regards an update of relevant technical conditions applicable to the 24,25-27,5 GHz frequency band (OJ L 138, , pp. 19–22).

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/784 of on harmonisation of the 24,25-27,5 GHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing wireless broadband electronic communications services in the Union (OJ L 127, , pp. 13–22).

See consolidated version.

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/235 of on amending Decision 2008/411/EC as regards an update of relevant technical conditions applicable to the 3 400-3 800 MHz frequency band (OJ L 37, , pp. 135–143).

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/661 of amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/750 on the harmonisation of the 1 452-1 492 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Union as regards its extension in the harmonised 1 427-1 452 MHz and 1 492-1 517 MHz frequency bands (OJ L 110, , pp. 127–133).

Decision (EU) 2017/899 of the European Parliament and of the Council of on the use of the 470-790 MHz frequency band in the Union (OJ L 138, , pp. 131–137).

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/2317 of amending Decision 2008/294/EC and Implementing Decision 2013/654/EU, in order to simplify the operation of mobile communications on board aircraft (MCA services) in the Union (OJ L 345, , pp. 67–71).

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/687 of on the harmonisation of the 694-790 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing wireless broadband electronic communications services and for flexible national use in the Union (OJ L 118, , pp. 4–15).

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/750 of on the harmonisation of the 1 452-1 492 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Union (OJ L 119, , pp. 27–31).

See consolidated version.

Commission Implementing Decision 2014/276/EU of on amending Decision 2008/411/EC on the harmonisation of the 3 400-3 800 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Community (OJ L 139, , pp. 18–25).

Commission Implementing Decision 2013/654/EU of amending Decision 2008/294/EC to include additional access technologies and frequency bands for mobile communications services on aircraft (MCA services) (OJ L 303, , pp. 48–51).

See consolidated version.

Commission Implementing Decision 2012/688/EU of on the harmonisation of the frequency bands 1 920-1 980 MHz and 2 110-2 170 MHz for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Union (OJ L 307, , pp. 84–88).

See consolidated version.

Commission Decision 2010/267/EU of on harmonised technical conditions of use in the 790-862 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the European Union (OJ L 117, , pp. 95–101).

Commission Decision 2008/477/EC of on the harmonisation of the 2 500-2 690 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Community (OJ L 163, , pp. 37–41).

See consolidated version.

Commission Decision 2008/411/EC of on the harmonisation of the 3 400-3 800 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Community (OJ L 144, , pp. 77–81).

See consolidated version.

Commission Decision 2008/294/EC of on harmonised conditions of spectrum use for the operation of mobile communication services on aircraft (MCA services) in the Community (OJ L 98, , pp. 19–23).

See consolidated version.

Commission Decision 2007/98/EC of on the harmonised use of radio spectrum in the 2 GHz frequency bands for the implementation of systems providing mobile satellite services (notified under document number C(2007) 409) (OJ L 43, , pp. 32–34).

Commission Decision 2006/771/EC of on harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range devices (OJ L 312, , pp. 66–70).

See consolidated version.

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