The European Commission has proposed the adoption of a common EU-wide position in negotiations that will decide the future of free-to-air broadcasting.
The Commission has adopted a proposal for a Council Decision that would establish the EU’s position on issues related to spectrum use at the ITU’s World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) conference in Dubai.
It’s hoped a common position would be able to balance the demands of 5G, TV broadcasting and events, as well as the Galileo global radio navigation system and maritime radio communications.
UHF spectrum between 470 and 694 MHz is used by both terrestrial broadcasters and the creative industries for wireless production equipment such as microphones. But it is also suitable for the delivery of 5G telecommunications services, putting the medium-term future of free-to-air television under threat.
The Commission will now work with Member States on a settled position.
International negotiations on radio spectrum at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) take place every four years with the participation of some 193 ITU Member States and 3,000 delegates. The international forum aims to provide options for harmonised uses of radio spectrum across regions and globally to protect against radio interference. TWRC-23 will take place in November and December 2023.
