[CMA TV] Ofcom dividend auction delayed

[Editor, Airflash Magazine]

Ofcom dividend auction delayed
Chris Curtis
29 May


Ofcom has pushed back its timetable for the controversial auction of  
the digital dividend after receiving 750 responses to the  
consultation on its plans.

The proposals, which would see some of the spectrum freed up by  
digital switchover sold to the highest bidder, have been criticised  
by the likes of ITV and the BBC for failing to safeguard spectrum for  
free-to-air HD services.

Ofcom had planned to publish its final proposals for the award of  
spectrum in July, but has pushed this back to late 2007. It said that  
given the wide range of responses it needed more time to ensure it  
made the right decision on how to get the most from the released  
spectrum.
The knock-on effect is that more consultation on the detailed  
proposals will take place in late 2007, with an award of spectrum  
scheduled for winter 2008 and licences issued in 2009.

The regulator said public sector broadcasters had "strongly argued"  
it should intervene to reserve at least five or six channels for HD  
on DTT, and preferably 10.

The PSBs also said that if Ofcom could not justify gifting spectrum  
at this stage it should hold back one multiplex worth of spectrum  
from the auction and decide later whether to gift or auction it at a  
later date.


Source: www.broadcastnow.co.uk
http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcastnowarticle.aspx?intStoryID=169154

-
Michelle McGuire
Editor, Airflash Magazine

Community Media Association
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