The European Commission has awarded a contract to Analysys Mason, Econ and Hogan & Hartson to perform a study on ‘Exploiting the Digital Dividend – A European approach’. The study follows from the EC Communication in November 2007 proposing a common spectrum plan at EU level in which the UHF spectrum would be divided in three sub-bands or clusters.
Clearer picture 'in course of 2009'
| A sub-band in the lower part of the band would be allocated for unidirectional networks using high power transmitters (e.g. for digital television); the middle part would be allocated to unidirectional networks using medium to low power transmitters (e.g. for mobile TV) and the upper part to bi-directional networks using low power transmitters (e.g. for fixed and mobile broadband). As mentioned by a Policy Tracker article of 07/01/09, as a result of the study ‘in the course of 2009 a clearer picture is likely to emerge of how Europe will use the digital dividend spectrum freed up by the switch from analogue to digital broadcasting’. |  |
Study objectives
The study will draw up an inventory of national situations affecting the digital dividend. A socio-economic analysis will also be performed to determine the potential social, cultural and economic impact of the main possible uses of the digital dividend. The study will also have to perform an investigation of key exogenous constraints such as interference issues and related mitigation techniques, evolving to new technologies (MPEG4 and DVB-T2 for example). The study should help the Commission to identify and assess different options and possible scenarios to achieve the required level of EU coordination and, eventually, to make a final recommendation and to define an EU roadmap to implement it.
Time schedule
The first draft report is expected by June 2009 and the final version in September 2009. The first phase of the study which includes the collection of information, data and views is to be finished by March 2009. To ensure that correct information is collected, it is essential that broadcasters actively collaborate either directly or through their Administration. EBU TECHNICAL together with the project group S/RAP Regulatory And Policy will liaise with the EBU Office in Brussels to coordinate possible contributions to the study.
For more information, please contact: Elena Puigrefagut