65On the contrary, first, it is to be noted that it is apparent from recital 21 of the Framework Directive and Article 7(4) and recital 23 of the Authorisation Directive that the selection procedures for the allocation of radio frequencies may be of a competitive or comparative nature. The Member States therefore enjoy, in accordance with the objectives and obligations laid down by the Framework Directive and the specific directives, unfettered discretion as to the establishment of competitive or comparative procedures, whether they be free of charge or fee-based. Second, it must be held that, in the light of the need to ensure the effective management of radio frequencies and of their important social, cultural and economic value, which the Member States must take into account under Article 9(1) of the Framework Directive, and of the spectrum scarcity of those radio frequencies, a fee-based allocation may prove justified.
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