The GSMA has published a new report finding that terrestrial digital
television broadcasting in the Arab states does not need an exclusive
allocation of the UHF spectrum band (470-694MHz).
The report Terrestrial Broadcasting and Spectrum Use in the Arab States,
developed by Plum Consulting, highlights how a significant amount of the
UHF band could also be used for mobile broadband, unlocking significant
socio-economic benefits throughout the region. The report calls on Arab
Spectrum Management Group (ASMG) countries to agree on a co-primary
allocation for broadcast and mobile in the UHF spectrum band at the
International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) World Radiocommunication
Conference (WRC-15) in November 2015.
“Spectrum is a scarce resource and regulatory authorities in the Arab
states are looking to maximise flexibility so that their networks are
ready to meet consumers’ growing demand for mobile data,” said John
Giusti, Deputy Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA. “Adding a mobile
allocation would allow countries to make the best and most valuable use
of this spectrum to meet the needs of their citizens, especially for
underserved communities, while still supporting over-the-air television
in the band.”
A joint position among the ASMG member states in favour of a
co-primary allocation in the UHF spectrum for broadcast and mobile at
WRC-15 would foster the option to roll out low-cost mobile broadband
services in the future, especially in underserved areas. If action is
not taken now, it will make it more difficult for regulators to release
additional spectrum from the UHF band for mobile until as late as 2030
or beyond, an unnecessary and avoidable outcome.
According to Cisco, the
Middle East and Africa will experience the strongest mobile data
traffic growth of any region between 2014 and 2019*, but in some Arab
States mobile broadband growth is restricted by a lack of available
spectrum.
The report finds that demand for broadcasting capacity in the region
has been overestimated in previous policy decisions. Viewership of
terrestrial television in many Arab countries is low, with consumers
choosing to watch television over satellite, cable and, increasingly,
IPTV. According to the study, all UHF spectrum above 582MHz may
potentially be released for other services, including mobile broadband,
while still supporting all current and projected terrestrial TV
requirements in the region.
Current plans to modify the Geneva 2006 (GE06) Digital Plan in the
region require each market with sufficient spectrum to support four
digital terrestrial television (DTT) multiplexes, which would allow for
approximately 32 TV channels in each country. However, the number of
existing analogue television channels varies from one in Djibouti and
Jordan to 18 in Sudan. The study indicates that the number of
multiplexes needed to carry the existing number of television channels
varies between one and four, and it is likely that three multiplexes
would be able to accommodate all countries, with two multiplexes
sufficient to accommodate at least 13 of the 18 countries in the region,
supporting the release of spectrum from broadcasting.
“Efficient placement of terrestrial broadcasting in the UHF band
would free spectrum across the Arab states even if all existing TV
channels continue to be broadcast over digital terrestrial television.
This would not only allow television broadcasting more than a sufficient
allocation of the spectrum resource, but would also free up spectrum to
allow mobile broadband to grow and thrive, delivering its
well-documented benefits to people, businesses and governments
throughout the region,” continued Giusti.
The 20th ASMG regional preparatory meeting for WRC-15 will take place in Rabat, Morocco, 22 to 27 August 2015.
Interested?
Read the report
*Cisco Visual Networking Index: Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update, 2014–2019
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