Brussels, 29/09/2015 (Agence Europe) - Digital terrestrial television (DTT) is an important means of distribution of audiovisual services in Europe and is popular with people. It needs certainty so that changes can take place which enables access both for broadcasters and mobile sector. That was the view expressed by European Commission Vice-President in charge of the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip at a meeting on 24 September with Broadcast Networks Europe (BNE).
BNE welcomes Ansip's support for the Lamy report. “Broadcasters need long-term certainty of spectrum access in order to invest to release the 700 MHz band. Therefore the Lamy recommendations should now be implemented”, stressed BNE Chairman Olivier Huart.
The Lamy report, which was published in September 2014, proposes a framework that would allow the best possible apportioning of the 470-790 MHz band between DTT operators and mobile telecommunications operators (see EUROPE 11145).
The Commission, which is looking, in its digital single market strategy, to put in place a coordinated and sustainable radio spectrum policy, is currently preparing regulation.
The European Union is also due to present its position on the radio spectrum at the next Global Telecommunications Conference in Geneva from 2 to 27 November. BNE says the terrestrial broadcasting sector is under major pressure because of the imminent reorganisation of the 700 MHz band (which is likely to be given wholly to wireless broadband throughout Europe by 2020) and calls on Ansip to provide a careful European transition plan with a realistic timetable and long-term security for the remaining spectrum consistent with the recommendations of the Lamy report. (Original French version by Isabelle Lamberty)