Disqus
Ofcom has announced proposals to align more of the spectrum released as part of the UK’s digital dividend with other European countries. This will allow new wireless services, particularly mobile broadband, to be launched here and across Europe.
The UK has led Europe in creating a digital dividend – the spectrum freed up for new uses as a result of digital television switchover. These airwaves are particularly important because the signals they carry travel over long distances and penetrate into buildings well.
The consultation considers whether the UK should align more of the spectrum it is releasing with the digital dividend in other countries, so that the whole 800 MHz band becomes available for new uses.
Ofcom’s analysis shows that there would be large benefits to citizens and consumers from doing this. These would include:
- lower equipment prices for consumers
- more efficient use of spectrum
- improved opportunities for new generations of mobile broadband
- more scope for competition and innovation in new wireless services
Ofcom believes that the net benefits to consumers could be worth £2-3 billion over twenty years.
These proposals would mean some changes to the spectrum used by digital terrestrial television (DTT) services and wireless microphones.
The consultation is available here.Ofcom expects to publish a statement on this issue in summer 2009 with a view to holding the auction for the UK’s digital dividend in 2010.
[Via: Ofcom.org.uk]
About The Author
Ben Robinson
Ben is a 10+ year veteran of the Mobile industry – starting his career when SMS was a still a relatively new concept for most people (!), he has now consulted on everything from bleeding-edge Mobile content, to the next-gen accessories you might view it on. As a result he has a broad and deep knowledge in numerous areas of Mobile – from network operators to device vendors, to infrastructure and middleware vendors (not to mention content delivery) – and has worked for companies in all of these areas! He is based in the UK, a hotbed of activity for mobile, and recently became a father for the second time – as oppose to in his younger years when he was happy spend time tweaking all manner of mobile devices to 'nth' degree, he now looks for services and hardware that provide the most efficient, compact, and reliable improvements to his already manic life! It’s his opinion that Mobile solutions should be there to help to make your life better – if a particular solution (be it service or device) isn’t doing this, he believes you need to ask the very important question of why you continue to use it... His focus at IntoMobile is mainly on Mobile content, services, and infrastructure, particularly as regards the UK market – and with the occasional look at devices. Additionally, using his extensive experience in the industry, he will provide commentary on the industry at large, with regular (and hopefully thought-provoking) articles.
