The EBU is strongly urging its members to take an active part in their national discussions about the future use of the UHF broadcast bands. In Europe, a number of countries including France, Germany, Switzerland, and (potentially) the UK have decided, after the switchover from analogue to digital, to remove part of the current UHF broadcast bands, and use the spectrum for 'IMT' services, which will most likely be wireless broadband internet, either via digital telephone connection or 'WiMax'.

Other nations are now turning to take decisions on the same issues. These administrations must base their decision on sound technical and economic advice; and, most of all, on the public interest, since ultimately the spectrum is a public resource. This is advice that the Members of the EBU must provide for them, because of their technical knowledge, lack of industrial bias, and commitment to the public interest.

Public value

There is no question of the value to the public or the economy of broadband Internet - these services will also be much used and loved by broadcasters. There is a dispute about which part of the spectrum to use for them in the public interest. Much spectrum in higher bands remains unused. Using the broadcast bands for IMT will limit the future of new digital broadcast systems, and ultimately lead to a second class broadband for Europeans, because there is simply not enough space to provide the kind of 'rich media' the public will demand. Users with wireless broadband will be the 'second class' internet customers compared those with cable or fibre connections, or those fibre homes in the more advanced digital economies such as Japan and Korea. This needs to be weighed up by administrations.

Extreme Vigilance

There is also a need for extreme vigilance to make sure that the IMT services do not interfere with hapless television viewers - and there may be a need for compensation systems to pay for TV aerial re-alignment etc - though this may not be easy. There are other issues too, such as the financing of costs incurred by broadcasters in changing networks. All of these demand that EBU Members are pro-active and helpful in national discussions on the future use of the current broadcast bands.

It is a time to protect the public. The EBU Executive Board, the elected representatives of the EBU's 74 Active Members, is asking all EBU Members to do so. For more information on this topic, please e-mail to: spectrum@ebu.ch