Wireless Broadband spectrum causing disruption

Just back from my trip to Europe, one of the topics I discussed both in Sweden and in the UK was the development in wireless broadband, which will require more spectrum. In the UK this spectrum will become available, after the analogue broadcasting signal is switched off in 2012 (a year before Australia). In addition, here the attractive (because very efficient for the ideal combination of distance and capacity) ‘Digital Dividend’ 700MHz spectrum will be freed up. This will allow for a more efficient (digital) use of that spectrum, creating the opportunity to use for more and other services.

However, it is likely that the highest bidders for this new spectrum will be the mobile operators; who will use it for wireless broadband (4G). This of course is creating a problem for the broadcasters who want to use the spectrum for HDTV services. The discussion is now concentrating on whether the broadcasters should get some or most of this spectrum (for free) or if they should be forced to use more efficient technologies such as MPEG 4 and IPTV which do not require the same level of spectrum.

In Sweden where the analogue system has already been switched off, broadcasters received a third of the spectrum. In other countries such as Germany, Spain and Portugal the broadcasters are crying wolf and want much more spectrum, trying to lock-up as much spectrum as they can. They see a serious competition problem looming since telcos can also easily use this spectrum for new wireless broadband entertainment services, which will compete with their TV services.

For more information, see separate reports: