Policytracker October 2006

This month's edition of PolicyTracker, Europe's spectrum management newsletter, takes a wide-ranging look at the likely economic impact of the switchover to digital TV. Offering new broadcast services in the released frequencies is by far the easiest option but encouraging other technologies to use some of the freed-up bands is expected to stimulate innovation and economic growth. The latter option entails huge technical and organisational difficulties and the question remains, is there the political will to tackle them? Editorial: The digital dividend dilemma Revising RRC-06 to aid the introduction of non-broadcast services in the digital dividend bands will be complicated and time-consuming. But could doing nothing be even worse? Commission aims high on digital switchover The European Commission has been feeling its way in the dark as it moves to define a policy for future use of the digital dividend. A tentative position is emerging, but some stakeholders wonder if Commissioners are dreaming. South Africa aims for 2010 digital kick off The World Cup is driving South African policy makers to quickly define a strategy for digital migration with an unofficial target for dual illumination of the two networks set to begin in 2008. The quiet revolution buried in the arcane detail A genuinely technology neutral spectrum licensing regime for a converged world may no longer be a pipe dream. EU member states have just provided some of the information required for the European Commission to formulate such a policy for adoption by 2010. Spectrum usage rights debate inches forward UK communications regulator Ofcom is planning to use one of its upcoming auctions to trial the introduction of Spectrum Usage Rights. MEPs endorse flexibility but remain concerned about the 'public interest' Their report is still being finalised but MEPs from the European Parliament's industry committee seem broadly in favour of the spectrum liberalisation agenda proposed by the Commission. National security impacts auction outcome The US Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Advanced Wireless Service (AWS) auction closed this month with T-Mobile topping the bids at around $4.2 million but revenues generated may have been dampened by national security concerns. Critics unconvinced by FCC "white space" plans The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced plans for unlicensed devices to gain access to the coveted television broadcast spectrum below 900 MHz, but is this anything more than a ploy to appease Congress? In a second article former FCC employee, Michael Marcus, gives his own detailed analysis. Legal ruling gives boost to GSM gateways The UK's Competition Appeals Tribunal has dismissed claims by the regulator Ofcom that a banned technique used to cut the cost of calling mobile phones breached laws on the use of spectrum. Trading will not bridge the digital divide A technology neutral approach to spectrum licensing is popular in Africa but there is little appetite for full liberalisation. Quite right too, says one of Europe's leading liberalisers. Spectrum auctions: beware the minefield Thinking about bidding for one of the UK's upcoming spectrum auctions? Be warned - it is more complex than it looks.