Radio spectrum is a scarce and essential resource that largely determines the capacity and quality of telecommunications services. Governments must manage it efficiently and with a long-term perspective, as it is a fundamental enabler of the digitalization of society and the economy and should not be treated as a short-term source of public financing.
Artificial scarcity in spectrum usage rights increases the cost of network deployment and limits the benefits delivered to end users. At the same time, growing demand for digital services can create an effective shortage of the spectrum required to support them.
In this context, spectrum regulation and allocation should promote efficiency, supported by a stable and predictable framework that encourages efficient investment in networks and maximizes the benefits delivered to society.
Spectrum management must also evolve in line with new connectivity needs and technological advances. Frequencies that could be valuable for broadband services are often occupied by other services and technologies, such as satellite communications and audiovisual services. Therefore, it is essential to foster flexible and efficient planning that can respond to changing demand and innovation. Spectrum allocation should adapt to new connectivity and communication requirements, ensuring that its use evolves efficiently in response to market needs.
Finally, spectrum policy should facilitate voluntary spectrum-sharing mechanisms to ensure more efficient use of available frequencies and maximize the economic and social value of this resource.
Our Proposal
- Limit setting aside spectrum for new entrants and smaller operators to clear cases of insufficient competition that cannot be addressed through measures already provided for in the regulatory framework.
- Set reserve prices based on the value of spectrum in alternative uses, rather than on estimates of operators’ willingness to pay.
- Provide economic incentives for operators to offer coverage commitments in exchange for reductions in spectrum fees.
- Extend the duration of new licences and support the renewal of existing licences where this does not have a significant impact on competition, providing the legal certainty and predictability needed to sustain long-term investment.
