Brussels, 01/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - What is the best way to distribute the 470-790 MHz (megahertz) frequency band between the operators of digital terrestrial television (DTT) and mobile telecommunications operators without disadvantaging the former, which previously had this portion of the spectrum to themselves, and whilst keeping the latter happy, as their mobile services are moving more and more towards audiovisual? Pascal Lamy, the former European commissioner, was asked by Digital Strategy Commissioner Neelie Kroes to tackle this difficult question (see EUROPE 10995). On Monday 1 September, Lamy presented his conclusions for the optimum use of the UHF (ultrahigh frequency) band, in other words the 700 MHz band, over the next decades, whilst seeking to reconcile the diverging interests of the economic actors which need it to develop state-of-the-art activities in the media sector. “For too long the broadband and broadcasting communities have been at loggerheads about the use of the UHF spectrum band (…). I have put forward a single scheme that could provide a way for the Europe to thrive in the digital century”, Lamy announced. He went on to stress the vital need to launch a “peacekeeping operation” between the parties, in view of the absolute importance of smart management of the frequency bands for the future. “The report lays down a path for creating capacity for fast wireless broadband everywhere and for ensuring a stable and predictable future for terrestrial broadcasting, while allowing those member states that want to move forward more quickly to do so. It would also ensure sustainable coexistence, as both sectors focus increasingly on advanced media services”, Kroes commented. According to Lamy, both sides “broadly accept” the proposals laid out in the report. These proposals will become the roadmap of the next European Commission for digital matters and will be the EU's position at the World Radiocommunication Conference of 2015, which will re-examine the international rules on the use of the spectrum.
The report proposes a “20-30-25” formula to work towards the objectives of Europe's digital strategy in terms of broadband. A process in three stages accompanied by precise perspectives for broadcasting, in such a way as to promote investment and the development of the sector:
1) 20: the 700 MHz band (the 694-790 MHz band, which is currently used by the terrestrial broadcasting networks (DTT) and wireless microphones) should be repurposed for wireless broadband throughout Europe by 2020, plus or minus two years;
2) 30: the security and stability of the rules on the use of the rest of the UHF spectrum, in other words frequencies below 700 MHz, will be reserved for terrestrial broadcasters until 2030;
3) 25: in 2025, a stock-taking exercise of UHF spectrum use will be carried out to take on board developments in consumer demand and new technologies, such as converged networks or large-scale roll-out of optic fibre.
Lamy states that setting a deadline of 2020 for the member states to take the necessary provisions to repurpose the 700 MHz band gives them a reasonable amount of time to ensure a transition path that minimises cost to spectrum users and citizens and to accommodate diversity and penetration levels of terrestrial broadcasting within Europe. Some countries have already defined a strategy to accompany this transition (Sweden, Germany and France), he commented. He stressed the need to start work now on a clear framework for telecoms and DTT operators, to allow planning of investment strategies in the infrastructures neededs, in view of the fact that the United States, China and Korea have already created a framework of this kind. “We need a common EU approach to ensure the necessary transition. We need a roadmap”, Lamy stressed.
Also on 1 September, the European Commission announced the adoption of new rules on the harmonisation of the frequency bands used by wireless microphones, which also use the UHF band, to ensure that the activities of users are not hindered by the internal reorganisation of this band. It also adopted an initial inventory report on how the member states currently use their radiofrequency and future stakes. Overall, the report shows that it will only be possible to respond to increasing demand frequency through more rational use, for example, by practising spectrum-sharing more between users, or by ensuring harmonisation which is conducive to investment in the most efficient technologies. Together, these documents should make it possible to organise the future of broadband, broadcasting and other wireless services in Europe for the long run, the Commission stresses. (IL)