The radio frequency spectrum (or simply the spectrum) is strategically important for broadcasters, as it is essential to the terrestrial and satellite delivery of radio and televisions services. Developments in digital communication technologies facilitate innovative and more efficient ways of using and managing the spectrum.
Spectrum management is a continuous and multidisciplinary process which involves not only technical but also legal/regulatory and, increasingly, economic and political considerations.
Spectrum: a finite resource
There is a growing pressure on the regulators to accommodate more and more
new users and services. As the available spectrum is finite, this leads to increasingly complex compatibility and sharing situations. Furthermore, some regulators are considering reducing the amount of spectrum used for broadcasting
in order to accommodate new users and services, such as mobile and broadband communications in the UHF band.
This is a challenge for broadcasters. It calls for a dynamic response from the EBU and its Members since the evolution of terrestrial broadcasting, in particular,
depends on the availability of adequate spectrum.
EBU members need to address their spectrum issues in a dialogue with their
national regulators. At the international level, the EBU is seeking to ensure that broadcasting services are appropriately protected from harmful interference and
that adequate spectrum resources are available for current and future
broadcasting services. The EBU is active in the
ITU
’s and the
CEPT
’s technical activities and also interacts with other relevant organisations such as standardisation bodies and the relevant committees of the
European Union
. The EBU also maintains close links with the industry and a number of national regulators.
Multi-disciplinary approach
EBU members are at the forefront of the technical evolution of broadcasting and, naturally, they are at the heart of the EBU’s spectrum activities. Technical work is carried out in the Spectrum Management Committee , assisted by the EBU Technical Department. Other organs of the EBU are also involved with regulatory and spectrum policy issues, in particular the EBU Legal Department and the Brussels Office.
