A proposal by the European Commission (EC) to use the freed-up space on the 790-862 MHz range of the radio spectrum for mobile broadband when most member states are set to switch over to digital from analog in 2012 has been met with approval by the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC).
The ECC, senior expert group of the CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations), which is responsible for moderating the use of the radio spectrum across Europe, approved a set of reports submitted by the EC that outlined the benefits of the digital-dividend spectrum.
The reports detailed how co-ordinated use of the frequencies at a European level would progress technologies, including high-capacity wireless broadband to rural areas cross Europe, VoIP, and mobile video and multimedia.
Benefit to society
“The key aim of this work has been to develop the best technical basis for using the digital dividend spectrum to gain the maximum benefit for society and industry,” said ECC chairman Thomas Ewers.
“We’ve achieved that aim by using the best modern-spectrum management practice across Europe to make it fit for the digital age.”
The ECC plans to continue to protect existing broadcasting services while lessening technical restrictions and applying a minimum set of technical conditions so that newly emerging technologies can also have a chance to thrive alongside them.
This includes a channelling plan for mobile service in 790–862 MHz band as well as guidelines for co-ordinating between broadcasting in one country and mobile services in another.
By Marie Boran
