EU Frees Frequencies for Short-Range Wireless Devices

Frequency bands used by everyday wireless devices such as garage-door openers, wireless alarms, baby monitors, headphones and microphones will soon be harmonized throughout Europe as a result of two recent Commission decisions. Anyone in Europe will be able to use the same short-range wireless product anywhere in the EU and manufacturers need only make one product for the whole internal market. For consumers, said the Commission in a release, this could mean lower prices. Radio frequencies for radio frequency identification (RFID) devices will be also harmonized. These electronic tags are increasingly used in businesses such as retail and logistics, tracking of goods and persons, security and alarm systems, etc.

"From garage door openers to baby monitors, alarms and wireless medical implants, short range devices affect us all, from the very young to the very old," said Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding. "That's why these Commission decisions will help create a single market for wireless devices, stimulate their uptake, boost industry in this vital sector and provide benefits to all Europeans."

The impact of these Commission decisions will be that these short-range wireless devices -- often portable mass market products -- can be operated without a license in all member states. Consumers will not have to check whether specific equipment can be used in each member state. Nor will they have to worry that a wireless product bought in one member state will not work in another, or that it will disrupt other wireless communications. This will spur demand, reduce production costs for manufacturers and encourage new innovative devices and applications. A recent Commission study estimated the value of the market for these devices to be ?25 billion by 2009.

Harmonization of the RFID radio spectrum will support the development of RFID technology in Europe. The retail sector is likely to be the main first user to increase the efficiency in the flow of goods and storage, resulting in significant savings. Overcoming so-far-fragmented frequency availability, the Commission initiative will directly help reinforce the internal market of free-flowing goods and services. According to the Commission, it is a clear sign of Reding's commitment to facilitate the introduction of RFID applications. According to some estimates the value of RFID services and equipment market in Europe (EU-15) will reach ?4 billion by 2010.

The two Commission Decisions were prepared in consultation with the EU Member States' radio spectrum experts.

Additional Information
The EU's Radio Spectrum Policy.

The two decisions on harmonisation of the radio spectrum use by short-range devices and for radio frequency identification (RFID) devices in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band.

Study on Legal, Economic & Technical Aspects of 'Collective Use' of Spectrum in the European Community (2006)