After much deliberation, the CEPT’s ECC TG6 has finalized a Draft ECC Report 224 on a “Long term vision for the UHF broadcasting band.” The Draft ECC Report 224 is the result of a study on the future use of UHF frequencies, with a focus on the 470-694 MHz band. It is one of the key documents for the European preparations for WRC-15, alongside the report by Mr. Pascal Lamy and the anticipated Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) Opinion on the future use of the UHF band.
The Draft ECC Report 224 covers the current use of the UHF band and highlights the important role of the DTT platform that provides free-to-air access to TV services and is essential for Public Service Broadcasting. It also covers the key regulatory and policy issues and touches on some of the relevant developments in technology, services and user behaviour.
While it lists a number of possible future scenarios, the Draft ECC Report 224 does not make any recommendations for the future use of the UHF band. However, it does recognise that the UHF band is essential for the delivery of audio-visual services and concludes that more flexibility may need to be introduced in the regulatory environment in order to allow for different use in different countries and possible future technological developments.
From June to 09 September, the Draft Report has been in public consultation. TG6 met at the beginning of October to review the responses received during the public consultations and has concluded its work on the Draft ECC Report 224. The Draft Report now goes to the ECC for final approval at their meeting at the end of November.
National regulators, broadcasters and industry participated in the TG6 work.