'No Change' at WRC-23 maximizes public value and innovation in the UHF band

EBU WHITE PAPER 20-11-2021

UHF spectrum below 700 MHz is intensively used throughout Europe, both for DTT and for wireless production systems.

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Certain regulators and industry stakeholders argue that the sub 700 MHz band should also be open to mobile telecoms services, believing that it could help to address deficiencies in mobile coverage of rural areas. This is even though international studies have shown that broadcasting and mobile services cannot operate on the same frequencies in the same or adjacent areas without causing harmful interference to each other.

The upcoming 2023 World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC 23) will consider revising the regulations that deal with the sub 700 MHz band, taking a decision that will impact on which services use this band in the future. The EBU believes that maximizing public value and promoting innovation in the UHF band requires the regulatory stability provided by the current regulation.

The EBU therefore supports a position of ‘no change’ to the Radio Regulations under WRC 23 agenda item 1.5. This white paper explains that position in more detail.

For more information about the EBU's work in this domain, visit the EBU Strategic Programme on Spectrum page.

Key words: PSM, 'No Change', WRC-23, UHF band, DTT, PMSE, Mobile, Interference, LTE-based 5G Terrestrial Broadcast.