[CMA TV] Ofcom publishes Digital Dividend Review for consultation

[Alan Fransman]

Ofcom publishes Digital Dividend Review for consultation

Consultation published: 19|12|2006
Consultation closes: 20|03|2007

Ofcom today published its Digital Dividend Review (DDR) for public 
consultation, setting out proposals for the most effective use of the 
radio spectrum released by the switch to all-digital television 
broadcasting between 2008 and 2012.

The consultation was preceded by an extensive research programme over 
the past year into the potential uses of the digital dividend spectrum. 
  CMA Members, Public Voice and the CMA itself made submissions during 
the research phase in order to ensure that the social value of spectrum 
  remains on the DDR agenda.

Whilst the consultation document suggests that local TV is a plausible 
use of the digital dividend with potentially high value to society, 
Ofcom does not believe that spectrum should be reserved exclusively for 
local television.

This suggestion is linked to Ofcom's proposal to offer frequencies in 
'packages' that are suitable for as many uses as possible, including 
national digital terrestrial television and mobile services.  Ofcom 
proposes to award the spectrum by auction.

These very worrying proposals will require a robust response, not only 
from the Community Media sector but also from civil society.  For this 
reason the CMA is working with Public Voice - the leading voluntary 
sector coalition campaigning for citizens' interests in communications - 
to encourage civil society groups to participate in the consultation, 
explaining what is at stake, where to find out more and how to respond 
to Ofcom's consultation.

Look out for our DDR information leaflet in the next edition of Airflash 
and book a place at the Public Voice conference on the Digital Dividend 
Review: 1:30pm – 5pm, Monday, 5th February 2007 at the Park Crescent 
Conference Centre, 229 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PN

For further information visit: www.public-voice.org.uk

Download the Ofcom consultation at:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/ddr/

Read the Ofcom news release at:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2006/12/nr_20061219

-- 
Alan Fransman
Community Media Association
15 Paternoster Row
Sheffield
S1 2BX

+44 114 279 5219

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