EU telecoms commissioner wants to open-up mobile bandwidth

The Commissioner says she wants to remove restrictions on how mobile carriers can use their networks by getting rid of what she describes as an "outdated" EU directive mandating limits on operators accessing the 900MHz part of the RF spectrum.

If she is successful, mobile carriers would be able to use their 2G GSM networks to carry 3G services and to make them available in areas that currently have only partial third generation coverage or none at all.

Despite all the hoo-hah, hype and the windfall of £22 billion plus that accrued to the UK Treasury as a result of the frenzied bidding for 3G licences, 3G itself is still not a success.

Furthermore, with current technology and working within the EU restrictions, 3G will never be available to more than 80 per cent of the British population. Deployment to rural and remote ares of expensive 3G infrastructure won't happen if no return on investment is in the offing for the carriers, and so far there has been no significant return on investment whatsoever, not even in the big UK cities where 3G is now widely available.

Carriers would love subscribers to use 3G but consumers remain wary. They are showing some interest in certain services and applications such as mobile TV and other data applications but are unhappy and unwilling to pay premium prices for the privilege.

Ms.