The European Parliament has approved the adoption of a five-year Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP) which will allow sufficient spectrum to be made available for wireless applications and services.

European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes said: "Adoption of the Radio Spectrum Policy Programme will help reduce the digital divide, make Europe a connected and competitive continent and introduce more wireless broadband choices."

Wireless is also playing a role ensuring every European has access to basic broadband by 2013 and to fast and ultrafast broadband by 2020.

Specific steps to be taken by the EU Member States and the Commission before 1st July 2015 include:

• By the end of 2012, Member States should have authorised the use of the harmonised 2.5-2.69 GHz, 3.4-3.8 GHz and 900/1800 MHz bands for use by wireless broadband communications, including 3rd & 4th generation mobile communication services.
• By 1 January 2013, all Member States (unless an individual exemption has been obtained before that date), should have authorised the use of the 800 MHz band for wireless broadband communications. One of the main objectives here is to cover sparsely populated areas.
• By mid-2013 at the latest, the Commission, in cooperation with Member States, will set out the details for an inventory to analyse efficient spectrum use, in the 400 MHz to 6 GHz range, in the EU. This will form the basis of possible further action on the coordinated allocation of spectrum bands to specific uses, such as wireless broadband.

Additional action by 2015 at the latest include:

• Spectrum trading between spectrum users in a set of harmonised bands where flexible use has already been introduced;
• The Commission and Member States ensuring sufficient harmonised spectrum becomes available for safety services and civil protection.

More generally, the programme sets out the EU principles to ensure efficient management and use of spectrum, and to promote investment, competition and innovation.