Neelie Kroes, Europe’s digital chief, wants a report on her desk in six months with proposals about how best to use the entire UHF band (470-790MHz) for TV and wireless broadband.

A so-called ‘High Level Group’, comprising top executives from Europe’s broadcasters, network operators, mobile companies and tech associations, has been charged with the task.

The group is being led by Pascal Lamy, former director general at the World Trade Organisation.

UHF spectrum is mainly used for television broadcasting, cordless phones, satellite communication and wireless broadband. Mobile operators, however, will no doubt want to get their hands on more precious spectrum.

The group’s advice is being sought as the commission looks to develop – in cooperation with EU member states – “a long-term strategic and regulatory policy on the future use of the entire UHF band (470-790 MHz), including possibilities for sharing parts of the band”.

“Europe needs to use spectrum more effectively if we want to benefit from the latest TV and internet developments,” said Kroes. “That’s why we need a new consensus on how to use broadcast spectrum, and that’s why I made the coordination of broadband spectrum a central feature of our effort to build a telecoms single market.”

Lamy expects negotiations between the different stakeholders in the advisory group to be “challenging”.

“Nobody will get everything they want,” he added, “but I am confident that, based on an open discussion and a willingness to engage at the strategic level, we can deliver a coherent vision for Europe.”

The EU press release points out that some member states are considering allocating part of their 700MHz frequencies for wireless broadband, which would affect (and be affected) by terrestrial broadcasters in neighbouring countries.

A coherent view of how Europe is going to develop the terrestrial platforms used by both services is needed, argues Kroes, in order to promote investments in services and infrastructure.

Among the mobile operators represented on the advisory group are Deutsche Telekom, KPN, Orange, Telefonica, TeliaSonera, and Vodafone, as well as the GSMA.

A final report by the group will have to be delivered by July 2014.