EU states should clear broadcasters from the 800 MHz band and mak...

actions are needed at EU level to maximize benefits from the switchover to DTV. It found that the economic benefits of a harmonized approach are large enough to warrant action now, Analysys Mason partner Lee Sanders told us. European countries are reliant on each other for economies of scale, and high-powered transmissions could cause interference if the band isn’t treated uniformly, he said. Several governments, including the U.K., France, and Germany, have already committed to creating an 800 MHz sub-band, so the report, and the EC’s support for it, are another major step toward harmonization, he said. Another key recommendation is that broadcast networks be upgraded to the more advanced compression technology, MPEG-4, he said. Some European countries now use MPEG-2, others MPEG-4, he said. The problem is that when there’s an installed base of MPEG-2 DTV receivers that aren’t compatible with MPEG-4, many set-top boxes won’t work, he said. The report suggested that all receivers sold in Europe be at least as efficient as MPEG-4, he said. That will make broadcast networks more efficient and offer higher capacity, lessening the pain of losing the 800 MHz band, and will boost availability of HDTV, Sanders said. Another potential area for EU-level action is encouraging the use of interleaved spectrum (white spaces) for services auxiliary to broadcast, he said. The issue has proven controversial in the U.K. where wireless microphone companies are upset at being forced out of their nationwide channel in the 800 MHz band (CD Aug 20 p4). But Sanders said the issue is particular to Britain because most European countries don’t have dedicated channels. The report found no shortage of white spaces for such services in the short to medium term, he said. The move from the 800 MHz band is also controversial for broadcasters, he said. It will require a great deal of frequency and network replanning and tough negotiations, particularly with non-EU eastern states such as Russia, he said. The EC will now develop plans to implement the report’s recommendations, Sanders said.