DigiTAG warns on DTT interference threat

DigiTAG has warned spectrum regulators not to overlook the importance of the digital terrestrial television platform.

In a new position paper the Geneva-based organisation that represents DTT operations in over 20 European countries says it is concerned by calls from the European Commission to make frequencies 790-862 MHz in the UHF broadcasting band available for non-broadcast services. DigiTAG says the plan could have adverse consequences for viewers – not to mention expense for its members.

“In many countries, the frequencies in question are currently in use for the provision of broadcast television services. The migration of these services to other frequencies would require significant investments to rework frequency plans to find alternative frequencies, solve interference issues, and modify transmission and reception equipment,” read a DigiTAG statement.

Ironically DigiTAG members that include Arqiva, TDC, Teracom, Telenor and TDF could also see themselves in the rollout of the type of next generation broadband services that are being proposed by the Commission.

Testing is currently underway to determine how badly services might be affected, but early signs are not good. Only last week Broadband TV News reported on research by the Dutch Telecom Agency (Agentschap Telecom) that showed the use of LTE devices leads in three quarters of cases to interference to the digital cable TV signal.

Further Information

• Download the DigiTAG position paper