Europe - manufacturer funded study on spectrum

EC urged to allocate 25% of UHF spectrum for mobile broadband

The European economy would receive a financial boost of at least 95 billion Euros over the next 20 years if just one quarter of the UHF band were allocated for mobile broadband services, according to consultancy group Spectrum Value Partners (London).

In a report commissioned by Ericsson, Nokia, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone, the consultancy, which focuses on communications technologies, analyzes the economic costs and benefits of allocating different quantities of UHF spectrum for mobile broadband and broadcast use throughout Europe.

Although the size of the benefits differ between individual countries within the EC, the potential Euros 95 billion windfall to the European economy represents additional value specifically associated with the use of the UHF spectrum.

The market researchers suggest this is in addition to the Euros 2.5 trillion generated by the European mobile industry using other spectrum in the same period between 2008 and 2027.

However, they also warn that delaying the release of UHF spectrum by three years would cost Europe 20 billion Euros.

The study also shows that, with the remainder of the band, broadcasters are expected to generate more than Euros 750 billion for the European economy during the same period.

In its report, Spectrum Value Partners also assumes that all existing free-to-air analogue broadcast TV channels will continue to be provided in either high definition or standard definition formats and finds that the majority of the value which could be created by broadcasters is already provided by existing analogue channels rather than by the launch of new digital-only channels.

A key finding is that much of the value associated with the use of UHF spectrum for mobile services is attributed to providing wider and lower cost broadband coverage.

Together with a 12 MHz 'guard band' to prevent interference between mobile broadband and TV services, the mobile industry would need between 40 MHz and 140 MHz under a wide range of 'plausible demand scenarios'.

The report also suggests that allocating at least 92 MHz (including the 'guard band') of UHF spectrum to mobile operators - a quarter of the total UHF band currently used for the provision of broadcast services - would be most likely to maximise additional value for the European economy as a whole.

"This UHF release to mobile will create cheaper broadband services for consumers on the move across Europe and will promote growth in the use of mobile browsing, email and video services. The move will also stimulate jobs and innovation in new companies as entrepreneurs respond to the demand for wireless web 2.0 services," commented Janice Hughes, Chief Executive of Spectrum Value Partners.

Richard Feasey, Public Policy Director at Vodafone, added: "The efficient use of the UHF spectrum is vital if Europe is to remain a global leader in both broadcasting and mobile communications in the coming decades. We join the European Parliament and the European Commission in urging Member States to act now."

Feasey added Vodafone intends to ensure the European Commission takes the study into consideration during its Regulatory Impact Assessment, which is expected to begin in a few months. He also suggests that every member state should, separately, conduct such a study. "If we delay further, Europe will pay a heavy price, "he warns.

The U.S. completed an auction of UHF TV radio spectrum in March, this year. So far, only three European countries have developed firm proposals for the digital dividend in Europe.