European Union telecom ministers have backed proposals today to open up spectrum reserved solely for GSM mobile phone services to other technologies, including 3G mobile data, reports Reuters. In July, The European Commission had said that freeing up access in the 900 MHz band would make it easier and less costly for mobile operators in the European Union to offer wireless technologies. For the same amount of money, a 3G network in the 900 MHz band would achieve 40 percent greater coverage than one in the 2,100 MHz band, according to industry trade group the GSM Association. The proposal heads off now to the European Parliament, where it must be approved before ministers adopt the plan.