European
Commission
ITU – NMHH Workshop on Spectrum
Management and Transition to DTT
Spectrum management:
Experiences in the EU
Andreas Roever*
Principal Administrator – Broadcast transmission
Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content
and Technology (DG CONNECT), European Commission
*
06 May 2015
Disclaimer: the views expressed are those of the author and cannot be
regarded as stating an official position of the European Commission.
ITU – NMHH Workshop Spectrum Management
and Transition to DTT
1
European
Commission
Principles
Granting rights of spectrum use, situation in the EU
•Rights can be granted by the Member States to electronic communication
network providers or to broadcasters, both models are used.
•Procedures shall be open, objective, transparent, non-discriminatory and
proportionate.
•An exception to the openess requirement may be applied in the case of
broadcasters if necessary to achieve general interest objectives as defined by
the Member States.
•Tenders or beauty contests can be used.
European
Commission
Principles
Conditions for spectrum use, situation in the EU
Relevant conditions which may be imposed by Member States in
authorisations to use spectrum (selection)
•Coverage obligations for DTT networks, typically well above 90% of pop
•Conditions necessary to avoid interference
•Maximum duration
•Usage fees; to be objectively justified, transparent, non-discriminatory and
proportionatein relation to their intended purpose
•Commitments made in selection procedures
•Obligations under international agreements on use of frequencies
•Obligations specific to experimental use
European
Commission
The original objectives
A double objective underlying the transition to Digital TV
•
TV service improvements:
more channel capacity in same spectrum
better TV quality
enhance services (programme information, multiple audio, …)
interactive services
•
Efficient spectrum usage:
more capacity per amount of spectrum occupied
European
Commission
The outset situation
EU situation at the start of the transition process (~2000)
•
An established common spectrum plan for analogue TV broadcasting
(Stockholm 61) vs. an ecosystem of standards for digital broadcasting
(DVB-S, DVC-C, DVB-T)
•
First integrated EU regulatory framework for telecommunications,
but largely national competence for broadcasting (incl. transmission)
•
EU spectrum policy: EU coordination, tools for legislative measures;
concept of technology and service neutrality in spectrum usage
•
Technological evolution: driving up value of spectrum, disruption of
business plans, changes in assignment methods
•
Convergence of services / transmission: not (yet) a driving issue
The transition process
European
Commission
A two track process
•
A frequency plan for Europe in view of the DTT introduction
basic frame:
ITU Regional conference (RRC04 and RRC06)
principles: "equitable access to spectrum resources"
complementing frame: "local" coordination
optimising planning
taking into account regional / local specificities
•
The digital dividend (DD)
Defined as "the spectrum surplus to delivering the same number of
channels as in analogue. A portion of this, 790-862 MHz, was harmonised
for wireless broadband in 2010, with a Decision by EP and the Council of
Ministers in 2012 (RSPP) for the completion of switchover.
At WRC-12, the band 69x-790 MHz was made co-primary for broadcasting
and mobile from 2015. This is one of the few bands that permits
(substantial) worldwide harmonisation.
The then Commissioner, Mrs Kroes, requested Pascal Lamy to chair a HighLevel Group on UHF with participation from both sides. Mr Lamy reported
last September.
•
•
European
Commission
Granting rights of spectrum use, situation in the EU
•Rights can be granted by the Member States electronic communication
network providers or to broadcasters, both models are used.
•Procedures shall be open, objective, transparent, non-discriminatory and
proportionate.
•An exception to the openess requirement may be applied in the case of
broadcasters if necessary to achieve general interest objectives as defined by
the Member States.
•Tenders or beauty contests can be used.
Monitoring
European
Commission
Assignment of the 800 MHz spectrum in Member States
•The EU Decision establishing the Radio Spectrum Policy Programme in 2012
established the deadline of 1 January 2013 for Member States to carry out
the 800 MHz band authorisation processes. While this provision was binding
derogations upon specific request were possible
•By March 2015 the 800 MHz band had been assigned by 21 Member States.
The Commission is closely monitoring developments and derogations
•By June 2014, 15 Member States had already LTE operations in the 800 MHz
band. In a few Member States operators also provide LTE in the 900 MHz
band, although this band is still mostly used for GSM services
•It is important that Europe catches up with Asia and the US in terms of rollout of wireless broadband in the LTE standard.
Forward looking issues
European
Commission
The Lamy report
Recommendations
•Repurposing the band 694-790 MHz for wireless broadband by 2020 +/- 2
years
•Safeguard broadcasting in the band 470-694 MHz until 2030, with a review
of market realities and national conditions to take place by 2025.
•Where coexistence between broadcasting and downlink-only broadband is
feasible, this should be possible to accommodate at national level
The Commission is now developing its response to these recommendations.
Any decision to repurpose the 694-790 MHz will be likely to need broad
political agreement by our co-legislators.
European
Commission
Granting rights of spectrum use, situation in the EU
•Rights can be granted by the Member States to electronic communication
network providers or to broadcasters, both models are used.
•Procedures shall be open, objective, transparent, non-discriminatory and
proportionate.
•An exception to the openess requirement may be applied in the case of
broadcasters if necessary to achieve general interest objectives as defined by
the Member States.
•Tenders or beauty contests can be used.
European
Commission
Thank you for your attention !
Andreas Roever
andreas.roever@ec.europa.eu
DG CONNECT, Unit B1 – Regulatory Coordination and Business
European Commission
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