More than 80 companies and organisations have called on decision-makers to protect the existing UHF Spectrum for broadcasters.
The Wider Spectrum Group, with members including Broadcast Networks Europe, Digital UK, the EBU and Pearle, said a week-long series of events in Brussels, Luxembourg and Germany sent a clear signal as to the importance of the band.
According to the organisation, in Europe, 80 million households (43%) watch TV via the lower UHF spectrum. Annually, millions of European events, plays, festivals and concerts use this spectrum band. Broadcasters and the creative industry call on policymakers to ‘Save Our Spectrum’ so that European culture can flourish.
“Europe must stand by its consensus to guarantee an inclusive and innovative single market for its people, for its culture and for its industry. This is now threatened by international discussions leading to the World Radio- communication Conference 2023.”
UHF spectrum between 470 and 694 MHz is used by both terrestrial broadcasters and the creative industries for wireless production equipment such as microphones.
There are fears the Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) might reallocate the spectrum to telecommunications.
