Ofcom Say New Freeview HD TV Channels at 600MHz Won’t Hinder 5G

Mobile operator Vodafone UK has warned that today’s move by Ofcom (here), which has created the “opportunity” for 10 new Freeview HD TV channels to be launched by using airwaves in the 600MHz radio spectrum band, could hinder the plan to free up existing 700MHz spectrum for use by future ultra-fast 5G based Mobile Broadband services.

Ofcom currently anticipates that the need for new international agreements and to move existing Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) services out of their current 700MHz home and into 600MHz would mean that none of its proposed changes for 5G are likely to take place until “2018 at the earliest“ (more details).

However Vodafone warned that today’s proposal to licence use of the 600MHz band now for “interim” DTT multiplexes could threaten this plan because they felt that 600MHz might be needed well before 2019 and that the spectrum should thus not be awarded for “temporary use“. The operator said that this could delay and possibly complicate the plans for clearing 700MHz so that 4G or 5G mobile services can use it. Ofcom disagreed.

Ofcoms Statement

“One point of substantive challenge was that the proposed interim DTT licence might limit our ability to initiate any clearance of the 700MHz band – for mobile broadband – if such a clearance was to begin before the end of the proposed minimum licence term to the end of 2018.

We have considered this argument carefully and decided, for the reasons set out in this statement, that the most proportionate way to address this issue is to add a clause in the licence that will allow us to vary or substitute the frequencies awarded in the 600 MHz band, as necessary, ahead of the end of 2018 in order to facilitate any transition of DTT from the 700 MHz spectrum.”

Ofcom recently concluded its first call for input on the 5G debate and a proper consultation is due to follow in the near future. But until then it’s worth remembering that 5G doesn’t even have a standard yet, although a target speed of 10Gbps has often been touted (example). Several research projects in the EU and United Kingdom are currently working to find the best solution (here).

As for the new TV channels, which will get to use 600MHz before the rest of DTT land (i.e. from early 2014), Arqiva has indicated that these will be broadcast to up to 70% of the UK population (above the minimum requirement of 50%). But some people might need a new HD-compatible DTT receiver to view them. The licence will run until 2026, but with a “minimum duration to 31 December
2018, subject to revocation on 24 months’ notice“.

The 600MHz band will eventually also be used by White Space technology and wireless microphones.