The document discusses the EU Commission's approach to maximizing the benefits of the digital dividend that will be available after analog terrestrial TV signals are switched off by 2012. The Commission proposes organizing the freed up UHF spectrum into clusters, minimizing interference to maximize efficiency while allowing flexibility for national approaches. It also discusses potential uses of the digital dividend spectrum including HDTV, mobile TV, wireless broadband access, and public safety applications. The Commission plans further studies and stakeholder engagement before legislative proposals in late 2009 or early 2010.

1. The EU Commission’s
Approach to the Digital
Dividend
Bernd LANGEHEINE(*)
European Commission,
Information Society and Media
Directorate-general
(*) The views expressed are those of the author
Conference “Digital Dividend Opportunities” ••• 1
Ghent – 17 October 2008

2. Is there a Digital Dividend?
• Reality of the Digital Dividend (DD) is now
generally accepted (law of physics)
• 100 to 200 MHz in the UHF Band
• Unique opportunity to make better use of
prime spectrum
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Ghent – 17 October 2008

3. Switch-off of Analogue
Terrestrial TV
• Common understanding to switch-off by
2012
• 4 EU countries have already switched off
(FI, LU, NL, SW)
• 6 will follow by 2010* – 12 more by 2012
• Switch-off in Belgium 2008/2011
• The case for an early coordinated approach
* DE, AT, DK, MT, SV, ES
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Ghent – 17 October 2008

4. The case for an EU Approach
• Studies have shown large efficiency gains
and benefits
• How to maximise the social, cultural and
economic benefits of the DD ?
• The need for economies of scale – mass
market applications
• Interference management
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Ghent – 17 October 2008

5. The EU Commission’s
Proposals
• Organise UHF spectrum in two or three
clusters
• Minimise interference – maximise efficiency
• Need for flexibility at the national level
• Apply principle of technology and service
neutrality (keeping in mind general interest
objectives)
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Ghent – 17 October 2008

6. The Candidate Services
• Broadcasting services – consider need for HDTV
spectrum/additional channels – avoid legal problems
(state aid/authorisation principles) – consider other
platforms
• Mobile TV
• Wireless access to broadband – « Bridging the Digital
Divide » - consider fixed and mobile access to ensure
coverage of remote/ rural areas
• Other services (Public safety applications, wireless
microphones, RFIDs)
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Ghent – 17 October 2008

7. Next Steps
• Commission to launch study on socio-economic benefits
• Technical studies by CEPT
• Engaging stakeholders
• Support from other EU institutions (Toia Report
Spectrum Policy Programme ?)
• Commission proposals for legislative action end 2009 /
early 2010
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Ghent – 17 October 2008