Brussels, 26/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - Frequencies are a major challenge to the audiovisual, radio and live performance sector, with spectrum as a core driver for cultural diversity, creative jobs and growth in the Digital Single Market.
This is the message sent out by participants at the Wider Spectrum Group (WSJ) Conference on Thursday 22 October. Participants included the Commissioner for the Digital Economy, Günther Oettinger, and Pascal Lamy, the author of the report on the future of Spectrum radio in Europe, published on 1 September 2014. The strategy he is proposing for the next decade involves the introduction of 700 MHz frequency for telecommunications, television and radio, which currently use frequencies below this band (see EUROPE 11145).
The Wider Spectrum Group representatives called on European decision-makers to guarantee secured and uninterrupted access to spectrum radio sectors underpinning creativity and culture. The next World Radio Communications Conference will take place on 2-27 November 2015. During this conference, the European Union is expected to defend its spectrum radio policy. Commissioner Oettinger stated that “The creation and distribution of audiovisual content is one of the main drivers of the digital economy [...] Reaching 250 million Europeans, Digital Terrestrial Television is an integral part of the European audiovisual model”.
Pascal Lamy highlighted the specificity of this model and argued that “the 20-25-30 model is now the backbone of EU spectrum policy”. It should be pointed out that the “20-25-30” formula sets out deadlines for attaining the 2020, 2025 and 2030 targets, with precise perspectives for radio broadcasting, in an effort to promote investment and harmonious development in the sector. (Original version in French by Isabelle Lamberty)