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 […]
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 […]
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 – […]
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 […]
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 – […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Broadcast Networks Europe (BNE) – a trade body for terrestrial broadcast network operators for radio and TV in Europe – has joined other broadcast and satellite bodies in welcoming the long term regulatory security for terrestrial TV broadcasting and long term access to UHF frequencies which was achieved at the World Radio Conference (WRC-15) in […]
The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance – a global organisation advocating for laws and regulations that will lead to more efficient and effective spectrum utilisation – has joined a range of satellite and broadcasting industry bodies in supporting the decision made at the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU’s) World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) to maintain the ITU’s primary allocation […]