By Julia Fioretti
Dec 15 (Reuters) - Mobile telecom operators will get accessto a key mobile spectrum band across Europe that will help themprovide faster wireless internet, under an informal deal betweenEU states and lawmakers on Wednesday.
The agreement foresees the coordinated rollout of the 700MHz band for wireless broadband by 2020, which will facilitatethe takeup of 5G, the next-generation mobile technology that isexpected to support driverless cars, remote healthcare andbillions of everyday objects connected to the internet.
"The coordinated release of the 700 MHz band is major leapforward on the (European) Union's path to 5G," GuentherOettinger, European Commissioner for the digital economy, saidin a statement.
Wednesday night's agreement will need to be formallyendorsed by member states and lawmakers before becoming law.The 700 MHz band (694-790 MHz), currently widely used fordigital television signals and wireless microphones, canpenetrate buildings and walls easily and cover larger geographicareas with less infrastructure than frequencies in higher bands.
Member states can delay the assignment of the spectrum by upto two years if they have legitimate reasons, such as unresolvedcoordination issues with neighbouring non-EU countries or ifthey need more time to reallocate the spectrum from broadcastingservices.
"The timely release of spectrum bands is essential tocompleting 4G and launching 5G. Any delay would slow down mobilebroadband deployment," said Francesco Versace, director ofregulation at ETNO, the association of European telecomoperators.
Broadcasting services would keep priority in the sub-700MHzband (470-694 MHz) until at least 2030.
Only France and Germany have allowed the use of thisspectrum for mobile services, while Britain, Denmark, Finlandand Sweden plan to do the same in the coming years. (Reporting by Julia Fioretti; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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