Broadband Media: Changing Times, Changing Media

On the dynamic use of radio spectrum bandwidth and its regulatory implications David Fernández-Quijada Montse Bonet

“… the most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion, and respect for the environment by 2010"

i A European Information Society for Growth and Employment

Now preparing: post i2010 agenda Here: Broadband Media: changing times, changing media So… where are we now?

1998 From public monopolies to competitiveness

Framework Directive 4 specific Directives 1 Decision (on Radio Spectrum)

Revision: more competition, better regulation, reinforcement of home market and consumers’ protection

2010 New Regulatory Framework?

BEFORE: Scarce AFTER: Limited

BEFORE: One Channel, One Programme AFTER: Mux = n Programmes

BEFORE & AFTER: What? 1997: Green Paper on Convergence 1998: Green Paper on Radio Spectrum Policy 2002: Decision on a Regulatory Framework for Radio Spectrum

Everybody wants spectrum… specially UHF band

New emerging services: mTV, HDTV, iTV... Digital dividend.

New wireless broadband apps. Larger areas covered with less antennas. Re-use of existing sites and masts = savings.

New wireless devices. ‘Commons’ model / open platform.

Equal or higher than 144 Kbits/s? At least 256 Kbits/s? Faster than primary rate ISDN (i.e. 1.5 or 2 Mbits/s)?

Equal or higher than 144 Kbits/s? At least 256 Kbits/s? Faster than primary rate ISDN (i.e. 1.5 or 2 Mbits/s)? Broadband as a dynamic concept

Lack of Broadband access forms part of the digital divide Broadband access is the new highway to prosperity And, what about rural areas and less developed regions?

Market-based approach  auctions. No policy objectives  beauty contests. Secondary trading. Service neutrality. Technological neutrality.

Dynamic use of radio spectrum Statistical multiplexing: variable bit rate (VBR). Cognitive radio. Peak vs. off-peak hours (i.e., data services). SDTV / HDTV. Temporary services (ppv, events channel, data, interactive apps). HBB.

Analogue media management practices in production routines and ‘programming’. Regulatory asymmetry between broadcasters and telecom operators. Obstacles to the dynamic use of radio spectrum

Regulatoryasymmetry

Regulation of services and not platforms. Regulation according to principles (media pluralism, cultural diversity...) and objectives of public service/interest. No restriction of services according to its nature (linear TV/radio, VOD/AOD, interactive services, data services...). No restriction of public service to market failure. Assignment of one mux per licensee. Regulatory implications of dynamic use of radio spectrum

WRC-07 vs. GE-06  co-primary allocation mobile/ broadcast ( MHz) from 17 June 2015.

Conclusions

Digital broadcasting needs to stop thinking analogue: create contents not just radio/TV. A digital consensus is necessary among convergent players. The debate promotes efficiency in radio spectrum management. Market but also social and cultural approach to spectrum management. Balance between private profit and public interest.

Muito obrigado