Minister announces radio-spectrum consultation

Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan today announced a public consultation process on the State's radio-frequency spectrum.

A working group was set up by the Department of Communications, Energy, and Natural Resources in 2007 to review Ireland’s policy on spectrum management and to develop a national spectrum policy.

The group's report, which has been presented to the Minister, was published today and is open to submissions from the public. Responses from interested parties are invited before November 28th, 2008, and these can be submitted via a forum on the department's website.

Spectrum is used for a variety of purposes, including communications - aviation, shipping, defence services, public safety, public mobile phone networks - as well as broadcasting and radar.

Announcing the consultation, Mr Ryan said: "With the availability of new technology and products, it was deemed timely to review the current system for spectrum management.

"The aim is to develop a national spectrum policy that will be sufficiently flexible to accommodate technological developments, as well as supporting and promoting innovation, research and development," Mr Ryan said.

“Our geographical location gives us a natural advantage in the area of spectrum research and development. Furthermore, the convergence of technological developments along with the move from analogue to digital television will result in the greater availability of spectrum."

The Minister said he saw this as the "perfect opportunity" to position Ireland as a "test-bed" for innovators of new technologies and services.