UK broadcasters take aim at mobile operators’ spectrum ambitions

Editor | 20-01-2014

Aiming a swipe at UK mobile operators’ plans to utilise broadcasting spectrum for their own ends, a new report from Digital UK has highlighted the major economic benefits that terrestrial TV services deliver to the UK.

Digital UK manages strategy and policy for digital terrestrial television (DTT), including the hugely popular Freeview platform in the UK, and managed the successful implementation of digital TV switchover from 2008-2012. This includes clearance of terrestrial TV services from the 800MHz band of spectrum to prepare for the launch of 4G mobile broadband services.

The organisation — whose membership includes the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Arqiva — has delivered a report which is a clear shot across the telcos’ bows at the start of a year when decisions about the future of free-to-air TV will be made by policy makers in the UK and EU, and a further shake-up of the airwaves is being considered to release more spectrum for the mobile market. The report challenges the view that mobile broadband delivers more value from airwaves than TV, asserting that the DTT platform returns nearly £80 billion to the UK economy.

The report claims to show clear evidence of DTT’s vital role in supporting UK broadcasting, driving innovation and investment in programme-making while keeping consumer costs down. In addition to the return, the report also says that the DTT market supports 15,000 jobs in broadcasting and independent production.

In a call to action, Digital UK is urging the UK Government to ensure any further transfers of airwaves do not weaken Freeview and other terrestrial TV services, and that viewers should not suffer disruption or foot the bill for making the changes. “This report sheds new light on the value of DTT for viewers, the UK television sector and wider economy,” said Jonathan Thompson, chief executive of Digital UK. “With increasing demand for spectrum it is critical that DTT remains a strong proposition with the same coverage and range of channels viewers enjoy today.”