A modern economy relies heavily on its communications infrastructure, of which radio services play an important role. The Radio Spectrum is a national resource. It is the backbone for a wide range of activities in sectors including telecommunications, broadcasting, transport, defence, public security, emergency services, research and development, scientific services and hobbies/leisure uses. Spectrum use policy is considered at national and EU level.
National Matters
Spectrum Policy
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources established a working group on spectrum management to review Ireland’s current system of spectrum management and make recommendations for change. The Working Group included senior officials of the Department, a Commissioner from the Commission for Communications Regulation and academics.
This group prepared a consultation paper for which comments had to be submitted by 28/11/2008. The consultation paper text is available at the link below
Public Consultation on Spectrum Policy
The public consultation set out to inform in the formulation of a set of guiding principles for the future management of this important strategic resource. This, in turn, will impact on specific policies including the digital dividend .
European Affairs
Within the European Union there are two committees that handle matters relating to Radio Communications and Radio Spectrum. They are the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) 
and the Radio Spectrum Committee . Meeting documents from these committees are regularly published on their respective websites and their sites are also used for public consultations.
- 31 March 2010: Public consultation on the RSPG Opinion in preparation for the radio spectrum policy programme (RSPP)
- 13 November 2009: Call for public input on the draft RSPG report on Cognitive Technologies
- 15 May 2009: Public consultation on the coordination of EU spectrum interest
(Part1: Preparation of ITU World Radiocommunication Conferences - Part 2 Main themes of WRC-11 of interest for EU-Wide support)
- 15 May 2009: Public consultation on the draft RSPG Opinion on the Digital Dividend
- 29 July 2008: Public consultation on the draft RSPG Opinion on "Streamlining the regulatory environment for the use of spectrum"
- 10 June 2008: Public consultation on the draft RSPG Opinion on “Aspects of a European Approach to Collective Use of Spectrum”
- 01 November 2006: Public consultation on the draft RSPG Opinion on “EU Spectrum Policy Implications of the Digital Dividend”
15 May 2006: Public consultation on a coordinated EU spectrum approach for scientific use of radio spectrum
- 15 May 2006: Public consultation on the Introduction of Multimedia Services in particular in the frequency bands allocated to the broadcasting services
- 24 June 2005: Public consultation on Wireless Access Platforms for Electronic Communications Services (WAPECS)
- 28 June 2004: Consultation in the context of the development of an RSPG Opinion on priorities and objectives for the Community in the World Radiocommunications Conference 2007
- 09 February 2004: Public consultation on secondary trading of rights to use radio spectrum.
- 04 February 2004: Public call for consultation in the context of the development of a RSPG Opinion on the spectrum implications of a switchover to digital broadcasting.
- 13 October 2003: Public call for input on the work programme of the RSPG.
If you would like to view these consulations and the relevant responses please click here
In March 2010 the CEPT ECC announced its 5 year Strategic Plan.