Spectrum
for new uses, since not all of it is needed for digital television. In the US, a portion of the UHF band around 700MHz has been adopted for ‘first re- sponder’ LTE networks – a move which has now focused attention on this band in Europe because of the potential for a volume market in standard- ized radio terminals and products. Private LTE systems are thus emerging as the natural choice for PMR users seeking their own broadband ca- pability, especially those in the emergency services. “Tere’s some exciting times ahead of us”, ob-
Repurposing 700 W
ith the closure of analogue television broadcasting, large portions of the UHF band have become available
continued place for television in the wireless spec- trum, despite the growing popularity of online viewing. “Freeview sits at the heart of British tel- evision and is going to strengthen its position in the future provided it has the spectrum to do so, and as television remains central to people’s lives, we undermine it at our peril”, he said. “We’ve cleared television from 800MHz for mobile to have it, with the Treasury now expecting that very welcome cheque soon. “Switching off analogue television left spec-
served Alun Cairns MP, opening the Westminster eForum session. “We’re waiting for the 4G auc- tion to take place, therefore the 800 auction, the 900 auction pricing data, pricing charges as well as the changes in relation to 700 and the impact that that will have on digital terrestrial television.” First of the industry speakers was Charles Con-
stable, managing director of digital platforms divi- sion of Arqiva – which, as transmission contrac- tor, played a central role in delivering the UK’s digital TV switchover. He argued fervently for a
22
trum holes for Freeview to be squashed into, post- 800MHz. However, only one hole will remain, the 600MHz band. So squashing Freeview a sec- ond time would be a lot harder, and it increasingly looks like there will be a second time.” A provisional decision was made in 2012 (at
the ITU World Radio Conference) to let mobile into 700MHz and this was likely to be confirmed internationally in 2015. Nonetheless, Mr Consta- ble went on, the large Freeview audience at home was driving the UK’s creative success in television production, and the resulting export earnings. As Ofcom recognized, IP networks would not be up to the job of substituting for Freeview until be-
New claims on the 700MHz frequency band, and the challenges to be overcome in refarming it, were debated at a recent seminar in London. Richard Lambley reports
Above: participating in this Westminster eForum Keynote Seminar were expert contributors from across the industry. For further information, visit
www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk
yond 2030. By then, 5G would be with us too. “So the lesson is that if UK is to reap the ben-
efits of 5G on time, then we must start planning soon”, he ended. “We need a strategy in place, one which works for both the television and mobile industries, including an acceptable boundary for where television stops and where mobile starts.”
A squeeze on TV Next to speak was Steve Unger, strategy director for Ofcom. He acknowledged the need to pro- tect Freeview, pointing out that the fast-growing usage of tablets was more a complement to con- ventional TV viewing than a substitute. But there were options for Freeview’s spectrum require- ment, even while expanding programme services: for example, migrating to DVB-T2 transmission technology and MPEG-4 compression could yield a fourfold efficiency gain. Te use of single-
LAND mobile January 2013
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