At their latest meeting, held on 25 October, the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) adopted two Opinions; one on the introduction of multimedia services in particular in the frequency bands allocated to the broadcasting services (e.g. Mobile TV) and one on the scientific use of the radio spectrum.
The first Opinion (covering the introduction of multimedia services) sets out the Group’s response to how the digital dividend could be used for the introduction of such services. It also looks at several frequency bands, including the 470-862 MHz and 1452-1492 MHz bands. This opinion, which underwent public consultation in order that the views of interested parties could be taken into account, should be seen as complementary to the work undertaken in the development of an RSPG Opinion on spectrum implications of the switchover to digital broadcasting.
The second opinion deals with the coordinated use of the European spectrum for scientific purposes. It summarises and describes the scientific services that use the spectrum and sets out how scientific use of the spectrum should be protected and allocated.
The RSPG has also published a Draft Opinion on EU Spectrum Policy implications of the Digital Dividend, launching a public consultation that will run until 15 December 2006 and is open to all interested parties. Contributions should be sent to by email to infso-rspg@ec.europa.eu, with the following subject line: “CONSULTATION DIGITAL DIVIDEND”.
This draft opinion follows up on the work done in previous RSPG opinions; particularly the Opinions on the spectrum implications of the digital broadcasting switch over (adopted in November 2004) and on the introduction of mobile multimedia services in frequency bands allocated to broadcasting services (adopted in October 2006). The digitial dividend will only emerge in Europe after the switch off of analogue television. The EU has set 2012 as the definitive date for the termination of analogue transmission, while the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has set a date in 2015.
Further information:
- rspg06_143_final_rspg_opinion_multimedia_services http://rspg.groups.eu.int/_documents/documents/opinions/rspg06_143_final_rspg_opinion_multimedia_services.pdf
- rspg06_144_final_rspg_report_opinion_scientific_use_pectrum http://rspg.groups.eu.int/_documents/documents/opinions/rspg06_144_final_rspg_report_opinion_scientific_use_pectrum.pdf
- rspg06_150_draft_opinion_digital_dividend http://rspg.groups.eu.int/_documents/documents/opinions/rspg07_161_final_op_digdiv.pdf
- RSPG consultations http://rspg.groups.eu.int/consultations/index_en.htm
- Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) https://www.anacom.pt/template9.jsp?categoryId=109880
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- European radio spectrum policy under consultation https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=424511
- RSPG - Radio Spectrum Policy Group https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=109880
