With the provisional agreement that mobile broadband services for EMEA would become aligned with those of other regions, and only just after completing the move of television from 800M Hz to 700M Hz, will the UK now need to go further to meet the requirements of this proposal? With the DTT platform now becoming overcrowded due to the relocation of existing channels, what are the future platform options for content providers?
At the World Radio Conference this year, it was provisionally agreed that EMEA would be bought in to line with the other regions and allocate the 700MHz spectrum for mobile broadband services. This potentially will bring economies of scale for the mobile industry, from the ability to roam seamlessly on an international level, to the production of devices which will be a common form factor on a global basis.
However in the UK, we have only just moved television from the 800MHz band in to the 700MHz block and this will now require an additional engineering exercise to comply with this proposal in to 600MHz. As well as DTT, Programme Making & Special Events (PMSE) occupies the 700MHz band.
The 800MHz & 2.6GHz bands are yet to be auctioned (due next year) and surely demand for additional mobile broadband services needs to be actually justified by usage, prior to allocating additional capacity now?
Initially the 600MHz band was to be used for increased DTT capacity, which would have enhanced the Freeview platform with additional channels. Now existing channels in the 700MHz band need to be reallocated in to the 600MHz block, which will not allow for this potential expansion. Therefore with the DTT platform being squeezed, what are the alternative platforms for content providers?
Speakers at this thought provoking event include:
- 'DTT: The cornerstone for the delivery TV services to UK viewers', Chris Nokes, Principal R&D Engineer at BBC Research & Development
- 'Achieving a sustainable DTT platform in the UK', Peter Couch, Head of Strategy Development for Digital Platforms at Arqiva
- 'Protecting the Future of the DTT Platform from the Mobile Data Capacity Squeeze', Graham Plumb of Ofcom
- 'Freeview: protecting value and accessibility to UK citizens', Ilse Howling from Freeview
As with all Cambridge Wireless events, during the day there will be ample networking and opportunities to discuss the event’s hot topics.
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