PLANNING THE UHF TV SPECTRUM AFTER DIGITAL

SWITCHOVER

RADIOCOMMUNICATIONSAGENCY

DAVE TOMANHead of Broadcasting, Broadband and Programme-

makingRadiocommunications Agency

Major Issues

• How much spectrum for digital TV?

• How much spectrum for other services?

• Issues/Questions for MOBILE Services

• Comments by 12 March 2002

Criteria for Digital Switchover

• Availability of digital TV to all analogue viewers

• Affordable equipment must be available

• Accessibility to digital TV by 95% of viewers

• Consultation document assumes that criteria have been met

• Consultation document assumes that cost/benefit calculations support switchover

The Spectrum Resource

• 46 frequency channels (470 - 862 MHz) • Channels 21-35, 37, 39-68• 4 channels from 1200 sites for BBC1,2, ITV, Ch4

giving 99.4% coverage• 1 channel from c.100 sites for Channel 5• 6 channels from 80 sites for six digital multiplexes

with 68% able to receive all six multiplexes• Switching-off analogue will release 5 channels

from major sites and digital will enable more and better use use of all available channels

How many multiplexes?

• Rule of thumb: 4-6 channels out of 46 required to deliver a Multiplex from around 100 sites to 90% of population

• Retain 6 multiplexes for fixed/portable reception or plan for more/less?

• How many multiplexes for Public Service Television?

• How many multiplexes for Pay Television? • How much reliance to place on cable, satellite (and

forthcoming DSL, Broadband Wireless etc) to deliver coverage of broadcasting services

Releasing Contiguous Spectrum

• Should an effort be made to corral the agreed number of multiplexes into less spectrum,releasing contiguous channels?

• If so, how much less spectrum?

• Cost/Benefit issues

Re-using released spectrum

• Contiguous spectrum and Interleaved spectrum • BROADCASTING

- More multiplexes for Fixed reception (incl Local TV)

- Mobile TV - UHF return path for Interactive TV - Datacasting to Fixed and Mobile receivers• MOBILE - Public and Private Networks - Radiomicrophones, Audio links

ISSUES FOR MOBILE COMMUNITY

• Major potential spectrum windfall• What is your view about future UHF spectrum

allocation for broadcasting? • Development of demand for spectrum for MOBILE

services. How much would you like?• How much spectrum for quasi-telecoms services

using DVB-T technology would you like?• MAKE SURE YOUR INTERESTS ARE REPRESENTED

IN RESPONSES TO THE CONSULTATION BY MARCH 10

• Consider alongside messages from Cave Review