LONG TERM VISION
FOR THE UHF BROADCASTING BAND
Session 1 – How will the UHF band be used in the next decade?
CEPT ECC TG 6 Chairman
Jaime Afonso
FORECAST 2014, Shaping future broadcasting
EBU, Geneva 5-6 November 2014
Task Group 6
Long Term Vision for the UHF Broadcasting band
Creation of Task Group 6 (June 2013): CEPT initiative to
address the long term vision for the UHF band
Focus on 470-694 MHz
Main topics
Technical studies
Socio/economic and cultural issues
Regulatory aspects
Produce an ECC report by mid-2014 (ECC Report 224)
http://www.erodocdb.dk/doks/doccategoryECC.aspx?doccatid=4
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Terms of Reference of TG6
TG6 studies DID NOT specifically
address the 700 MHz band issues
review spectrum requirements
consider the ongoing WRC-15 activities
ECC Report 224 DOES address
the existing situation
evolution of technology, networks and services
set of indicators
the description and assessment of scenarios
cross-border coordination issues
…
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The background
862 MHz
The “UHF broadcasting band”
“Salami slicing” ?
Strategic vision, focusing in the 470-694 MHz band;
Consider the demand and supply, e.g. broadcasting, wireless
broadband and other applications;
Harmonised technical approach;
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Current related activities
World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15)
694-790 MHz band allocated to mobile service as from 2015
Additional spectrum allocations to the mobile service
EC Mandate for 700 MHz
Preferred technical channelling arrangement
Common least restrictive technical conditions (block-edge mask)
Consider applications such as PPDR and PMSE
Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (Decision nº 243/2012/EU)
Identification of 1200 MHz to satisfy the wireless broadband demand
Support other wireless communications policies (e.g. further
development of innovative audiovisual media and other services)
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Setting the scene
The “diversity”
Required amount of
spectrum in the band 470862 MHz for DTT
224 MHz
No of Countries
2
Between 224 and 320 MHz
4
320 MHz
16
>320 MHz
1
To be determined
13
“Salami slicing” ?
Current role of DTT
Expiry dates of the existing rights of use: large variation
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Strategic elements
Evolution of platforms
DTT: technologies/formats (e.g. resolution, compression,
modulation)
Cellular networks (LTE broadcast)
Evolution of PMSE
The regulatory environment (e.g. Geneva 06)
Coexistence/cooperation of different platforms
Indicators (linear, non-linear consumption, type and
lifecycles of devices, etc..)
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Long term vision – the scenarios
TG6 considered a number of scenarios
Described in four classes :
Class A: Primary usage of the band by existing and future DVB
terrestrial networks
Class B: Hybrid usage of the band by downlink LTE and/or DVB
terrestrial networks
Class C: Hybrid usage of the band by conventional two-way (uplink
and downlink ) LTE mobile broadband and/or DVB terrestrial
networks
Class D: Usage of the band by future communication technologies
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The compatibility constraints
Summary of the analysis
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class A
Class B
Class C
Criteria 1: Technically feasible with similar
technologies and network architectures as currently
available.
Criteria 2: similar bilateral coordination issues already
dealt with.
Criteria 1: Technically feasible with similar technologies and
network architectures as currently available.
Criteria 2: new bilateral coordination methodology need to
be developed.
Criteria 1: Technically feasible with similar
technologies and network architectures as currently
available.
Criteria 2: requires a Region-wide harmonization
(frequency plan and schedule).
Criteria 1: Technically difficult and challenging assuming
similar technologies and network architectures as they are
nowadays
Coexistence between a cellular uplink and a broadcast or
cellular downlink network is difficult and challenging
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Main conclusions (1/2)
Administrations shall consider, among others:
their national legal and regulatory framework
the implications for the audiovisual industry and user expectations
a realistic time frame for the transition towards a new scenario
Expected developments
Broadcasting services will continue to evolve
The delivery mechanisms (linear services vs on-demand services)
Evolution in DTT technology (e.g. to support larger SFNs)
Delivery of broadcast and multicast content through LTE
Sufficient interference free PMSE spectrum needs to be provided
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Main conclusions (2/2)
Monitoring the developments/assumptions is key
Coexistence of different scenarios/classes needs to be
taken into account
In order to facilitate the different needs/requirements, it
could be necessary to introduce more flexibility in the
regulatory environment
The long term usage of the band mainly foreseen for
downstream audiovisual content distribution
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TG6 - LONG TERM VISION
FOR THE UHF BROADCASTING BAND
END OF PRESENTATION
Session 1 – How will the UHF band be used in the next decade?
FORECAST 2014, Shaping future broadcasting
EBU, Geneva 5-6 November 2014