A one-day policy forum on implementing a European Digital Dividend Strategy took place in Brussels on 30 November, attended by over 200 delegates, including representatives from mobile operators, broadcasters, manufacturers and regulators from around the world.
DotEcon chaired the final session on “Where next? How do we move forward to allow Europe to reap the benefits of the digital dividend as soon as possible?” As part of the session, he used the interactive voting system to ask delegates what they thought would happen to the UHF band over the next 15 years. A majority voted that they expected further clearance of high-power DTT from the band, including the creation of a second sub-band at 700MHz suitable for mobile broadband and other services or even complete clearance of high-power DTT. Such actions would be in addition to the 790-862MHz band that the European Commission has proposed for roll-out of medium or low power services across Europe.
DotEcon, together with Analysys Mason and Hogan & Hartson, previously advised the European Commission on options for ‘Implementing a European Digital Dividend Strategy’. The final report is available here (click here for the Annexes, and here for the Executive Summary).