Ireland

[IE] Radio Spectrum Management Strategy

IRIS 2005-2:1/30

Marie McGonagle

School of Law, National University of Ireland, Galway

ComReg (the Commission for Communications Regulation) has launched a public consultation on radio spectrum management for the period 2005-7. Research commissioned by ComReg revealed that the contribution made by use of the radio spectrum to the Irish economy in 2003 was almost EUR 2 billion, equivalent to 1.4% of total GDP, and that the number of jobs dependent on its use was over 24,000. ComReg's strategy centres around four main objectives, namely facilitating access, particularly for innovative technologies and services; maximizing the economic and social benefits; promoting efficient use of scarce spectrum resources; and ensuring compliance with national and international requirements, as well as avoiding harmful interference. For each of the objectives a number of specific goals have been set and specific actions identified. The consultation period will run until 4 March 2005. Following the consultation, ComReg will publish a report on the responses in April 2005 and then publish its final strategy.