(Telecompaper) The European Union Council has approved a plan for opening up the 700 MHz band to mobile services. Under the proposal from the European Commission, EU states would require to release the 694-790 MHz spectrum freed up from the switch to digital broadcasting by 30 June 2020 for mobile broadband. A grace period of another two years is allowed under certain conditions, such as a need to resolve interference or coordinate cross-border issues. EU states will need to adopt a roadmap for auctioning the spectrum by 30 June 2018. The sub-700 MHz band would be available for broadcasting and wireless microphones until at least 2030, although certain frequencies could be used earlier for mobile services such as supplemental downlink. Now that the Council has adopted its stance, the Parliament must vote on the proposal before it can take effect.