New radio comms bill to affect Ireland 3G

date: 16th February 2001, source by: netimperative.com

Irish radio communications laws are to be overhauled, potentially causing problems with the forthcoming 3G licences in Ireland. This may affect UK operator Vodafone, that recently acquired Eircell which is one of three incumbent operators up for the licences.

A spokesperson for the ODTR – the Irish equivalent of the DTI – said these changes would not affect the 3G beauty contest, scheduled for early this year, or the implementation of fixed wireless broadband access. However, the proposals will seemingly have an effect on the implementation and scope of any licences awarded in forthcoming contest.

Ireland has been regarded as an alternative test-bed for 3G applications and services by many UK developers, due to its decision to allocate licences via a beauty contest process, rather than the more costly auction route taken by the UK. It has been pointed out that the sums of money paid by the mobile operators will be recovered from the end users – potentially at the expense of service quality. This makes Ireland an interesting test case, but this may now have hit problems.

The Irish Department of Public Enterprise (DPE) has invited responses to its proposed solutions, the deadline for which is February 19, 2001. According to the government body: “There have been ongoing problems and deficiencies in the current legislation, in spite of amendments made to the act, which have hampered the efficient management of the spectrum.” This is to be combated by the introduction of a Radiocommunications Act, more tailored to the Twenty-first Century - the original legislation currently in use dates back to 1926.

Proposed changes include the licencing of spectrum rather than equipment (as is now the case), costing of spectrum according to demand and close integration with EC laws. The DPE has recommended that the new legislation is implemented “as quickly as possible, to bring the regulatory framework into line with the current complex requirements.”

The ODTR spokesperson continued: “Nothing here has been finalised yet. The reason that this will not directly impact upon the 3G allocations is because this latter process is controlled by the EU, rather than Irish law.”

A further raft of proposals from the EU concerning regulatory frameworks for radio spectrum policy is due imminently, and is likely to be transposed into law by member States by 2002 – the year in which 3G services are generally due to begin operation in Europe.

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