57 associations and companies from 18 European countries have joined forces in a “Call to Europe” to urge policymakers and regulators to preserve the Lower UHF Band (470-694 MHz) for broadcasting and wireless production equipment.
The EBU, ARD, France TV, Broadcast Networks Europe and RTVE are among the organisations warning the frequencies could be reallocated by the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23).
The unwritten fear is that the band is handed over to telcos that want the spectrum for 5G services.
“Broadcasting needs UHF spectrum for easy, low-cost and therefore accessible terrestrial television transmission. Future broadcast technologies will allow the population to be reached directly on mobile devices,” the broadcasters said in a statement released Thursday.
“In the event of a disaster or of a crisis, terrestrial broadcasting ensures that the population remains informed about the situation, if necessary for days and weeks. Broadcasting transmissions have proved to be more secure regarding natural disasters.”
The Call for Europe wants to reach national administrations before the meeting in November 2023.
