EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Andrus Ansip reiterated calls for “deeper coordination” when deploying 700MHz spectrum across Europe, a strategy he believes will be vital to the future development of connected cars, IoT and 5G.

The European Commission (EC) last month presented proposals to coordinate the use of the spectrum band, which is already deployed in some APAC and American markets, in Europe, with the aim of assigning 700MHz by June 2020 at the latest in all EU countries.

Both France and Germany have however already authorised use of the band for mobile services, while Denmark, Finland, Sweden and the UK have outlined plans for roll-outs in the next few years.

Ansip, who serves as VP for the Digital Single Market at the EC, told Mobile World Live it was “extremely important” for the industry, whether it is operators, traditional broadcasters or media service providers, in member states to gain clarity over the future deployment of 700MHz, as more services and devices become interconnected.

“Imagine what will happen when you have all these connected cars and they begin to cross borders in Europe, and some countries do not have high-speed access,” he said. “This is one example why coordination is so important. I am mainly talking about timing, duration of licences, coverage and sharing of spectrum.”

Ansip, who previously served as the Prime Minister of Estonia, also talked through some of the successes the EC has seen in implementing digital ID services in the country, with the majority of the population now embracing mobile as an identification tool.

He said it was now up to the industry to “create an environment” that curbed privacy and security concerns, when it comes to releasing personal data.

Click here to see his thoughts in full.