Mobile communications GSM

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Mobile communications GSM - UMTS

This Directive establishes a pan-European cellular digital mobile communications system.

ACTS

Council Directive 87/372/EEC of 25 June 1987 on the frequency bands to be reserved for the coordinated introduction of public pan-European cellular digital land-based mobile communications in the Community [See amending acts].

SUMMARY

Member State must make the frequency bands of 880-915 MHz and 925-960 MHz (the 900 MHz band) available for the GSM * and UMTS * systems. They can also establish other land-based systems capable of providing electronic communication services which can co-exist with the GSM systems in accordance with the Regulatory Framework for radio spectrum policy.

In this regard, Commission Decision 2009/766/EC aims to harmonise the technical dispositions on the availability and efficient use of the 900 MHz band for UMTS, in compliance with this Directive as amended in 2009. Commission Decision 2011/251/EU also makes possible the introduction of the LTE * (Long Term Evolution) and the WiMAX * (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) systems in the 900 MHz band.

Member States are required to first determine if the existing allocations on the 900 MHz band to mobile telephone operators in competition on their territory would create a distortion of competition in the telephony markets. If such a case does arise, Member States must apply the Directive on the Authorisation of electronic communications networks and services.

Key terms used in the act
GSM system: an electronic communications network that complies with the GSM standards, as published by ETSI, in particular EN 301 502 and EN 301 511. UMTS system: an electronic communications network that complies with the UMTS standards as published by ETSI, in particular EN 301 908-1, EN 301 908-2, EN 301 908-3 and EN 301 908-11. LTE system: an electronic communications network which confirms to the LTE standards published by ETSI, and in particular to the standards EN 301 908-1, EN 301 908-13, EN 301 908-14 and EN 301 908-11. WiMAX system: an electronic communications network which conforms to the WiMAX standards published by ERSI, and in particular to the standards EN 301 908-1, EN 301 908-21, and EN 301 908-22. European cellular digital land-based mobile communications service: a public cellular radio service provided in each of the Member States to a common specification, which includes the feature that all voice signals are encoded into binary digits prior to radio transmission, and where users provided with a service in one Member State can also gain access to the service in any other Member State.

Key terms used in the act

GSM system: an electronic communications network that complies with the GSM standards, as published by ETSI, in particular EN 301 502 and EN 301 511.
UMTS system: an electronic communications network that complies with the UMTS standards as published by ETSI, in particular EN 301 908-1, EN 301 908-2, EN 301 908-3 and EN 301 908-11.
LTE system: an electronic communications network which confirms to the LTE standards published by ETSI, and in particular to the standards EN 301 908-1, EN 301 908-13, EN 301 908-14 and EN 301 908-11.
WiMAX system: an electronic communications network which conforms to the WiMAX standards published by ERSI, and in particular to the standards EN 301 908-1, EN 301 908-21, and EN 301 908-22.
European cellular digital land-based mobile communications service: a public cellular radio service provided in each of the Member States to a common specification, which includes the feature that all voice signals are encoded into binary digits prior to radio transmission, and where users provided with a service in one Member State can also gain access to the service in any other Member State.

REFERENCES

Act	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Directive 87/372/EEC	-	25.12.1998	OJ L 196, 17.07.1987

Amending act(s)	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Directive 2009/114/EC	9.11.2009	-	OJ L 274, 20.10.2009

The successive amendments and corrections to Directive 87/372/EEC have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

RELATED ACTS

Council Recommendation 87/371/EEC of 25 June 1987 on the coordinated introduction of public pan-European cellular digital land-based mobile communications in the Community [OJ L 196 of 17.7.1987].

Last updated: 24.06.2011

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