The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has published a new recommendation on spectrum management in the run up to the next ITU World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15).
Many fear a landgrab by telecommunications operators, who are seeking to build broadband infrastructure, using capacity in the 700MHz range used for terrestrial broadcasting.
The recommendation affirms the importance of terrestrial broadcasting in EBU Member markets. It points out there are large differences between markets, which should be taken into account when planning the future use of the UHF band.
The EBU also stresses the importance of ensuring that the UHF band (including the 700MHz band) should be retained for the delivery of broadcasting services (both linear and non-linear). This is particularly important as the EBU and its Members are working to facilitate a close integration between the linear and non-linear services they deliver to mobile devices, PCs, tablets and hybrid television sets.
“Terrestrial spectrum is an important natural resource and its use should be optimized for the benefit of citizens. Broadcasting is a very efficient way of delivering media services to the public,” said the EBU’s director of technology & development, Lieven Vermaele “Members in many European countries rely heavily on terrestrial spectrum to ensure that their viewers can watch their services.”
The next ITU World Radiocommunication Conference will take place in Geneva in 2015.
