Digital Dividend
Government Strategy of
Greece
Advisor to the General Secretary for
Telecommunications and Post
Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport &
Networks
n.katsanou@yme.gov.gr
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
1
Obligations re MoU (1)
(Law 4046/2012)
Regarding the Digital Dividend, the Government (and/or EETT):
defines a legal framework in primary law that envisages a mandatory date for switchoff of analogue broadcasting for 30/06/2013 and a technologically neutral utilisation of
the 800MHz band after the switch off, taking also into account the provisions of the
draft Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP). [Q1 2012]
Currently adoption by the Parliament of the Telecoms Package Law - Legal separation
between network and content providers

completes the studies on the evaluation of the value of the Digital Dividend and on
the strategy for the granting of the Digital Dividend (800 MHz band). [Q1 2012].
Ministerial Decision to be issued on the use and exploitation of the DD based on the
Advisor’s results


resolves cross-border coordination issues with neighbouring countries. In alternative
launches formal steps with a view to settle coordination (intergovernmental
conferences, set up of intergovernmental working group) in order to define the
available channels. If difficulties on international coordination make this date
unfeasible, the frequency and broadcasting plans might indicate alternative channels
for re-location of broadcasters, while continuing negotiations with third countries in
view of the final assignment of frequencies to broadcasters and mobile operators.
[Q2 2012] -practically not before Q3 2012
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
2
Obligations re MoU (2)
(Law 4046/2012)

launches the consultation for the amendment of the frequency and broadcasting
plans. [Q2 2012] - The Digital TV Frequency Plan will be finalised Q3 2012

amends the frequency and the broadcasting plans, depending on the outcome/actual
state of play of international coordination. [Q3 2012]

adopts necessary secondary legislation for the assignment of licenses for
broadcasting and for the establishment of licensing procedures, antennae
specifications, etc. [Q3 2012]

launch the public consultation on the tender procedure for the assignment of the
digital dividend to broadband. [Q4 2012] – Auction of DD: Q2 2013

proceed to the tender for the assignment of definitive rights of use for broadcasting
transmission. [Q1 2013] – Contest for DTT Licensing

proceed to the tender procedure for the assignment of frequencies of the digital
dividend, allocating and authorising the use of the digital dividend (800 MHz band) to
Electronic Communications Services in line with EC Decision 2010/267/EU and in
respect of the deadlines and procedures of the RSPP. [Q2 2013] - Auction
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
3
Important dates for Greece
According to Troika MoU

Contest for DTT Licensing : 1st quarter 2013

Auction of 800 MHz band:

Switchover:
2nd quarter 2013
30/6/2013
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
4
Summary of actions needed







Ministerial Decision to be issued on the use and
exploitation of the DD based on the Advisor’s results
Currently adoption by the Parliament of the Telecoms
Package Law - Legal separation between network and
content providers
Completion of the final digital TV frequency plan
International frequency coordination with our telecoms
neighbors
Licensing of broadcasters
Removal of military forces from DD
Auction of DD
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
5
DIGITAL FREQUENCY PLAN
(1)

The study has been assigned to the National
Technical University of Athens

Timescales:


Mid May: draft digital frequency plan & draft for
the digital dividend
Mid August: final version of digital frequency plan
& final version for the digital dividend
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
6
DIGITAL FREQUENCY PLAN
(2)
Principles:




Optimisation of spectrum
Creation of digital dividend
Migration of the army to alternative options
Conformity with ITU requirements
Continuous consultation with all stakeholders
involved through a Working Group
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
7
Auction of the 800MHz band

Six European countries have auctioned the 800 MHz band
 Results in the following table (source Analysys Mason)
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
8
Greece – TV Broadcasting(1)
 Analog Terrestrial Television Market Structure
Public owned broadcaster ERT with 3 main programs national
coverage. (Regionally transmits additional programs)
Eight (8) national coverage private owned broadcasters 1
program each
126 regional and local coverage analogue broadcasters
2 pay TV terrestrial platforms
 Satellite and IP-TV
2 providers of satellite TV
3 providers of IP TV
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
9
Greece –TV Broadcasting (2)
 The country is currently running the transition phase
(digital and analog transmissions coexist)
 The relevant common ministerial decision prescribes 23
sites for digital transmission
 Currently digital transmissions from 12 out of 23 sites.
 Network providers for serving content providers
ERT public owned broadcaster
DIGEA serves private owned national coverage broadcasters
5 more registered under the general license regime
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
10
Greece Mobile Market
 Three (3) mobile operators.
 Use of spectrum in 900, 1800, 2100Mhz
 15,25 million connections (providers data for 2011)
 380M€ in recent spectrum auction
(2x35 MHz in 900, 2X20MHz in 1800 )
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
11
Greece Mobile Auction results



Vodafone: 2x15 MHz @ 900 MHz and 2x25 MHz @ 1800 MHz 168.502.000 €
Wind:
2x10 MHz @ 900 MHz and 2x15 MHz @ 1800 MHz
93.200.000 €
Cosmote: 2x10 MHz @ 900 MHz and 2x35 MHz @ 1800 MHz 118.833.000 €
ΠΑΡΟΧΟΣ
GSM 900MHz
DCS 1800 MHz
PRICE (€)
Vodafone
2x15 MHz
(6 blocks)
2x10 MHz
(4 blocks)
2x10 MHz
(4 blocks)
2x25 MHz
(2 blocks)
2x15 MHz
168.502.000
2x35 MHz
(2 blocks)
118.833.000
298.280.000
82.255.000
380.535.000
Wind
Cosmote
ΣΥΝΟΛΟ
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
93.200.000
12
Digital plan RRC 06
 Greece is divided in 34 allotment areas
 An allotment area is a planned service area intended to be protected
against interference
 Allotment planning serves mainly SFN approach
 10,5 frequencies on average per allotment area
 357 frequencies in total
 36 in VHF (on average ~ 1 per allotment area)
 321 in UHF band
 Most of frequencies planned in RRC 06 for Greece under the assumption of
 RPC2 :portable outdoor reception
 RN2 :suitable for small area SFN
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
13
Allotment areas Greece
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
14
Spectrum budget:
Mobile vs DTT UHF Band
Scenario
470-862MHz to DTT
DTT
357 frequencies
Mobile
broadband
-
~10,5 freq per allotment
790-862 to Mobile
broadband
316 freq
2x30MHz
790-862 plus
~9,3 freq per allotment
238 frequencies
2x30MHz plus
694-790 to Mobile
~7 freq per allotment
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
up to 2x45MHz
15
TV Separation of
network & content
 Spectrum reserved for armed forces will alter proportionally the above
spectrum budget
 Capacity of DTT can be estimated by assuming 6 SD channels (at
least) or 3HD channels per frequency.
 Network provider
will be assigned frequency rights
offer transmission services to content providers
 Ministry will provide the available frequencies for DTT in accordance
with RRC 06 plan
 EETT will run an auction procedure to assign frequency rights to
network providers
 NBC will license content providers
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
16
Advisory support for the
Hellenic Republic

In order to assess the options for the
management of the rights through
concession agreements, for the following
frequencies:



digital dividend spectrum (i.e. 790–862MHz, the socalled ‘800MHz band’)
UHF spectrum bands IV and V
2500–2690MHz frequency band.
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
17
The tasks of the study

Review the current market conditions and provide
an analysis of the demand forecast for:




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digital dividend spectrum
UHF spectrum bands IV and V
2500–2690MHz frequency band..
Conduct a valuation of the relevant concession
rights.
Recommend available options for the exploitation of
the spectrum property rights.
Assist the Hellenic Republic in the design of the
selected transaction(s) for the award of the identified
bands.
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
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ANALYSYS MASON
Modelling Scenaria (1)
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
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ANALYSYS MASON
Modelling Scenaria (2)
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
20
ANALYSYS MASON FINDINGS

the largest welfare impact from use of spectrum derives
from the mobile, rather than the DTT, market.
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
21
ANALYSYS MASON
CONCLUSIONS (1)
KEY FINDING:

there is a significant benefit to the Greek economy of
around EUR3.5 billion if part of the UHF band (800
MHz band) is awarded for mobile use, rather than for
DTT  the total economic impact would be around
EUR26.2 billion, over a period of 20 years:


~ EUR15.9 billion generated from mobile services
EUR10.3 billion is derived from the digital switchover
The value generated if all available UHF spectrum
is awarded for DTT use is EUR11.0 billion
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
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ANALYSYS MASON
CONCLUSIONS (2)

The economic value for DTT is slightly higher if DVB-T2 is used to
accommodate HD programmes in one multiplex than if DVB-T is used. The total
economic value also increases if we assume a mixed SD/HD use of DTT
multiplex capacity, rather than assuming all multiplexes are used just for SD.

If the 700MHz and the 800MHz band were to be allocated for mobile use in
Greece, a further EUR1.0 billion of economic benefit is derived, assuming the
entry of a fourth operator in the Greek market.

the loss of value from the entire 700MHz band not being available for mobile
services, as a result of military systems occupying part of this band, is around
EUR1.6 billion, loss of value being smaller if not available for DTT, around
EUR326 million.
CONCLUSION:
 optimal configuration would be mixed use of the UHF spectrum,
with the 800MHz band being allocated for mobile use.
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
23
ANALYSYS MASON
CONCLUSIONS (3)
1st CEE REGIONAL MEETING
BUCAREST 29/3/2012
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