UK Spectrum Forum

UHF spectrum policy considerationsDavid Harrison26 March 2014

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UHF ‘sweet spot’

High demand for UHF spectrum by range of different services

National, regional and local TV broadcasting

PMSE

White spaces

4G

790 MHz470 MHz 862 MHz

2G

935 MHz 960 MHz

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Ofcom’s policy decisions led by objective of maximising benefits for citizens and consumers• Relevant factors for UHF band:

– Range of high value services in UHF band are providing significant benefits to citizens and consumers:• DTT: low cost universal access to PSB content• Mobile: now an important part of our daily lives• PMSE: live event coverage and content creation• White spaces: growth and innovation in new services such as M2M

– Changes in demand• Rapidly increasing demand for mobile data capacity• Potential transition from SD to HD and potential longer term use of 4k TV• A potential shift in viewing from linear to VoD• New white space device applications• More sophisticated event coverage and production methods

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Relevant factors cont…

– Technology change• More efficient broadcast technologies: DVB-T2, MPEG 4, HEVC,• Capacity enhancing approaches on mobile networks: LTE-A, small cells, Wi-Fi • Digital PMSE• Alternative delivery platforms: IPTV, converged broadcast/ mobile networks

– International• Frequency co-ordination• Economies of scale

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Some observations…• Broadcasting:

– Based on current trends the DTT platform is likely to continue to play an important role beyond 2020• High % of primary sets connected to DTT• Linear still represents over 90% of viewing hours• Near universal rollout of superfast broadband likely by 2020 but not universal adoption

– Uncertainty over strength of future demand for HD and timing of any transition to DVB-T2

• Mobile: – A combination of more spectrum, more small cells, more Wi-Fi and more efficient mobile

technology will most likely be required to cost effectively meet the growth in demand for mobile data capacity and coverage

• PMSE:– Sustained demand for capacity

• White spaces– On going trials – good prospects for growth and innovation

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Future considerations

• 700 MHz band highly likely to be harmonised for mobile broadband use at WRC 15

– Option to re-plan DTT platform using 600 MHz band if needed

• Future longer term use of spectrum below 700 MHz options:

– Retain for DTT

– Clear more spectrum for mobile

– Converged broadcast / mobile use