The GSMA has published a new report finding, saying that terrestrial digital television broadcasting in the Arab States does not need an exclusive allocation of the UHF spectrum band (470-694MHz) as viewership of terrestrial television in many Arab countries is low, with consumers choosing to watch television over satellite, cable and, increasingly, IPTV.
The report “Terrestrial Broadcasting and Spectrum Use in the Arab States”, developed by Plum Consulting, highlights how a significant amount of the UHF band could also be used for mobile broadband, unlocking significant socio-economic benefits throughout the region. According to the study, all UHF spectrum above 582MHz may potentially be released for other services, including mobile broadband, while still supporting all current and projected terrestrial TV requirements in the region.
GSMA via the findings of the report, calls on Arab Spectrum Management Group (ASMG) countries to agree on a co-primary allocation for broadcast and mobile in the UHF spectrum band at the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) in November 2015.
John Giusti, Deputy Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA
Spectrum is a scarce resource and regulatory authorities in the Arab States are looking to maximise flexibility so that their networks are ready to meet consumers’ growing demand for mobile data. Adding a mobile allocation would allow countries to make the best and most valuable use of this spectrum to meet the needs of their citizens, especially for underserved communities, while still supporting over-the-air television in the band.
