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]