Advanced Television

Policy

EU unveils IRIS2 tender documents

The European Commission (EC) has published its tender specifications for its IRIS2 global satellite project. The EC wants the contract to be firmly in place within one year. The concept is for an EU-backed fully independent constellation of satellites. The IRIS2 project is for a multi-orbit satellite network and managed as a concession by a […]

March 27, 2023

Italy challenges ‘digital mafias’

Italy’s Camera dei deputati  (Chamber of Deputies), the lower house of the Italian Parliament, has approved in its first reading and unanimously new measures to fight the illegal distribution of copyright-protected content. The initiative brings on board the Communication Authority (AgCom), the National Cybersecurity Agency and Internet Service Providers. The target of the new anti-piracy […]

March 24, 2023From Branislav Pekic in Rome

Study: Mid-band spectrum essential for 5G capacity and coverage

As the key ingredient for wireless technology, radio frequency spectrum is an important resource, according to trade body 5G Americas. One of the most useful spectrum bands for 5G is mid-band, which ranges between 1 GHz and 6 GHz, and offers a balance of speed, capacity, coverage, and penetration for cellular wireless networks. A study […]

March 24, 2023By Colin Mann

Ergen wins reversal of $469m patent suit

Barely two weeks ago on March 10th, Charlie Ergen’s DBS DISH Network lost a Utah jury verdict on a patent lawsuit with plaintiff ClearPlay. The verdict saw the Court award ClearPlay $469 million (€434m) in compensation. The action alleged that DISH’s ‘AutoHop/Hopper’ functions used ClearPlay’s patented skipping feature. ClearPlay’s technology allowed users to skip what […]

March 24, 2023By Chris Forrester

Ofcom issues new BBC operating licence

The changing needs of viewers and listeners and a demand for greater public accountability are enshrined in a new, modernised BBC operating licence announced by broadcast regulator Ofcom. The licence, which comes into effect on April 1st, 2023, has been designed firmly to hold the BBC to account on delivering its remit, while enabling it […]

March 23, 2023By Colin Mann

FCC proposes cable and satellite pricing transparency requirement

US Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has introduced a proposal for new customer service protections that would require cable operators and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers to specify the ‘all-in’ price clearly and prominently for video programming service in their promotional materials and on subscribers’ bills. Specifically, cable and DBS providers would be required […]

March 23, 2023By Colin Mann

CMA expresses Broadcom/VMWare deal concerns

Broadcom’s $61 billion (€57bn) deal to buy VMware could lead to less innovation and drive up the cost of computer parts used by government, banks and telecoms, according to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Broadcom makes and sells specialist hardware components – such as network interface cards (NICs) and storage adapters – used […]

March 23, 2023By Colin Mann

Data: UK TV freelance creatives demand change

Research from UK diversity and inclusion social enterprise Creative Access shows although freelancers are broadly happy with their career path, there is a breakdown in the relationship between freelancers and employers within the creative economy, as over one in two freelancers say they ‘don’t feel supported by employers’ they work with. This is despite the […]

March 22, 2023

Liberty Global makes Telenet takeover bid

Belgian multiplay telco Telenet has confirmed it has been informed by converged broadband, video and mobile communications investor Liberty Global about its intention to launch a voluntary and conditional cash offer for all of the Telenet shares that it does not already own or that are not held by Telenet. Liberty Global has been Telenet’s […]

March 21, 2023By Colin Mann

EC OKs Orange Belgium/ VOO deal

The European Commission has approved the acquisition of 75 per cent of the capital less one share of VOO SA by Orange Belgium. This decision, which validates the commitments already taken by Orange Belgium and that have been integrated in its business plan, allows the company to move forward with the acquisition. The European Commission […]

March 21, 2023