Regional Round-up
In Europe, on 15th April the European Commission and the RSPG Working Group, which brings together the 27 EU member states' spectrum regulators, co-hosted a Digital Dividend Workshop for public officials and Member State representatives. In advance of the workshop, the GSMA wrote to all Telecoms Attachés to encourage them to:
- align behind a harmonised allocation of the Digital Dividend spectrum between 790 and 862 MHz for mobile use in accordance with CEPT recommendations
- avoid unnecessary delays to the switch-off of analogue television
- confirm the objective of the year 2012 for the switch-off
- undertake a cost benefit analysis of how to use the spectrum that will become available after analogue switch off
- give clear indications of the timing of the release of the Digital Dividend spectrum by 2010 to ensure there is maximum benefit for Europe derived from economies of scale.
During the meeting, Member States asked the Commission not to mandate regarding harmonised bands. On 13th May the RSPG will deliver its opinion on how much analogue broadcasting spectrum could be freed for other uses. It is also expected to recommend the principles of technology and service neutrality. Following the RSPG recommendation, the European Commission will launch a pubic consultation, expected to start in July and to be followed by a recommendation this autumn with common guidelines on how the switchover should take place by 2012 in the 27 member states.
On 16th April, the Portuguese regulator Anacom held a Digital Dividend workshop in Lisbon, at which more than 150 attendees heard speakers from: institutions including the CEPT, Digital Europe (formerly EICTA) and the UK, French and Spanish regulators; equipment manufacturers; Portuguese mobile operators, and Portuguese broadcasters. The debate was a timely prelude to the Portuguese public consultation on the Digital Dividend which closes on 13th May.
The UK, France, Ireland and Belgium are also currently holding public consultations on the Digital Dividend which close during April and May. All GSMA consultation responses, once submitted, will be posted on the website.
On 17th April, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced further support for the Digital Britain initiative which proposes to bring broadband to all. He has proposed ring-fencing some of the Digital Dividend spectrum so mobile operators can use it to push 3G services beyond their current limit of 80% of the population. In return the operators would receive an indefinite extension to their 3G licences.
Forthcoming Events
The PolicyTracker Public Sector Spectrum Conference will take place on 21st-22nd April at the Hotel Chatelain, Brussels. Robindhra Mantani of the GSMA will be speaking in the panel session on “Legal and technical issues in accessing public sector spectrum”. Find out more.
The World Telecommunications Policy Forum 2009 takes place in Lisbon from 21st-24th April. Tom Phillips, Chief Government & Regulatory Affairs Officer of the GSMA, will be speaking in the panel session on "How can Investment & Financing in the Telecoms/ICT help to overcome the crisis". Find out more.
The ITU are holding a Digital Dividend Regional Ministerial Conference in Belgrade, Serbia from 27th-29th April. Roberto Ercole of the GSMA will be speaking at this event about the need to prepare for a harmonised approach towards use of Digital Dividend. Find out more.
On 21st May EETT in Greece are holding an international conference in Athens on Broadband communications and Media Convergence, in which Roberto Ercole of the GSMA will participate as a speaker in a panel session on “Digital Television in the Environment of Convergence”.
The 4th Annual European Spectrum Management Conference will take place from 15th – 17th June at The Management Centre Europe in Brussels. Adam Denton of the GSMA will be speaking in a panel session on “The role that the Digital Dividend can play in driving economic growth across Europe”. NB There is an exclusive 10% discount on registration for this event for GSMA Digital Dividend e-newsletter subscribers. Find out more.
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A request to release spectrum for mobile broadband was one of several suggestions made by the mobile industry in a letter sent this month to the leaders of the G20 countries during their Summit meeting in London. The letter, signed by the CEOs of the GSMA and 24 member organisations, asked the G20 leaders to help create an environment whereby the mobile industry can accelerate the recovery of the global economy and put it on track for sustainable growth. 
