Advanced Television

Spectrum

Italy seeks 700 MHz transition deferral

Italy has proposed a postponement of the deadline by when spectrum in the 700 MHz band will be made available for high speed mobile Internet services to 2022. The decision was reached after a vote in both houses of the Italian Parliament, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, and is supported by the Italian […]

May 3, 2016From Branislav Pekic in Rome

US TV could reap billions from spectrum auction

According to S&P Global Market Intelligence estimates, a group of 12 US companies could generate almost $7 billion in an 84 MHz clearing scenario, or up to $13 billion in a lofty 120 MHz scenario — if the execution of the auction aligns with the FCC’s vision. The 12 companies are CBS, Comcast, Univision, 20th […]

April 19, 2016

Ofcom consults on 700 MHz clearance

In November 2014, UK comms regulator Ofcom decided that the 700 MHz spectrum band – which currently houses digital terrestrial television (DTT) and wireless microphones used for programme making and special events (PMSE) – would be repurposed for mobile data services. Ofcom intends to avoid undue disruption to DTT viewers and to safeguard the benefits […]

March 31, 2016

Arrests made in pirated STB operation

The City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Unit (PIPCU) has been involved in a day of action to disrupt the sale of set-top boxes which have been illegally modified to stream pirated channels which include movies and sports. The co-ordinated operation resulted in six arrests, following the execution of seven search warrants and inspections at […]

March 18, 2016By Colin Mann

Ofcom targets 2020 700 MHz clearance

UK comms regulator Ofcom is consulting on proposals to make use of 25 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band – known as the ‘centre gap’ – for mobile data. In November 2014, Ofcom announced that the 700 MHz band – which is currently used for digital terrestrial TV and wireless microphone applications – […]

March 14, 2016By Colin Mann

Italy wants more time to give up 700 MHz band

Italy is seeking more time for broadcasters to give over the 700 MHz frequency band for mobile broadband use. In its opinion on the European Commission’s proposal for the use of the 470-790 MHz UHF band, Italy’s Senate stated that the final deadline of 2020 appears “overly stringent” and proposes extending it to 2022. During […]

March 14, 2016By Branislav Pekic in Rome

Ofcom: 30 UHD channels via satellite

UK spectrum regulator Ofcom is examining future demand for satellite bandwidth over the UK in a new Space Spectrum Strategy consultation document issued March 1st (and which closes for comments on May 10th this year). One of its key findings, which is open to comment, is that it sees there being enough satellite spectrum – […]

March 2, 2016By Chris Forrester

EBU concerned at EC spectrum proposals

European public broadcasting alliance the EBU has expressed concerns as the European Commission unveils its proposals for the future of UHF spectrum. According to the EBU, these proposals place a heavy burden on broadcasters currently investing and innovating on the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform in UHF. EBU Head of European Affairs Nicola Frank described […]

February 3, 2016

Ofcom: ‘Deregulation of UK production sector risky’

UK comms regulator Ofcom believes that complete deregulation of the UK TV production sector would be uncertain and risky, having undertaken a review of the regulatory framework following a request from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in August 2015. Ofcom’s review recognises that the independent TV production industry has seen significant […]

December 23, 2015

Ofcom to delay mobile spectrum auction

Ofcom looks set to delay the start of its auction for another round of 4G spectrum, after threats of legal action from Telefonica and Hutchison, parent companies of O2 and Three, who want the regulator to wait until a decision is made about their plan to merge the two mobile companies. The spectrum, formerly used […]

December 4, 2015