[CMA TV] Ofcom: switchover could free up space for more channels

[Michelle McGuire]

Ofcom: switchover could free up space for more channels
Matthew Hemley
11:00am

Spectrum released during the switch over to digital television  
between 2008 and 2012 could be used to make way for more national and  
local digital television channels, Ofcom said today.

Ofcom laid out its proposals for the released spectrum in its Digital  
Dividend Review and said the amount of spectrum released would be  
"one of the largest in the UK for many years".

It said it could be used to support a range of "new and innovative  
services" of benefit to millions.

As well as national and digital terrestrial channels, other potential  
services suggested by Ofcom include increased mobile television and  
public safety services, such as wireless communications for the  
emergency services.

Ofcom said it planned to issue licences for the spectrum that would  
be "tradeable and liberalised", allowing users the flexibility to  
decide what technology to use, what services to offer, and to change  
their use of the spectrum over time.

It said it planned to award the spectrum by auction, likely to be  
held towards the end of 2008, but added it was keen to consult on how  
the spectrum should best be auctioned.

Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said: "Our aim is to ensure that as  
many users as possible have the freedom to innovate and the scope to  
deliver the maximum benefits to UK society."

Source: Broadcast Now
http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcastnowArticle.aspx?intStoryID=166508



Michelle McGuire
Editor, Airflash Magazine

Community Media Association
http://www.commedia.org.uk

"Access to the media for people and communities"