“In the run-up to WRC-23, with particular consideration to Item 1.5 and attendant Resolution 235, some member parties in the Middle-East have advocated that the 470-694 MHz band should be allocated to IMT with a co-primary statute along with broadcasting.
However, spectrum below 694 MHz was not on the agenda of WRC-15. Furthermore, a number of countries, including France, believe that mobile allocation in the 700 MHz band will crowd broadcasting out into a narrower band. This is not an option.
Following two ‘digital dividends’, France and Europe have secured stable access to 470-694 MHz for terrestrial TV (DTT). French law 86-067 of 30 September 1986 has confirmed the attribution of this band of frequencies to ARCOM at least until 31 December 2030.
Likewise in the EU, with Article 4 of Decision 2017/899. In France as in Europe, the executive branches are committed to take stock of the situation in 2025 and report to the relevant Parliaments.
In France, DTT is used by 46.3% of TV households, and is the only access to TV for 21.2% of them. We understand that other countries may have a different experience, but free choice regarding how to allocate this band of spectrum is not a consideration: experience in France, Italy and Spain has demonstrated all too well that it results in significant interference.
The Radio Spectrum Policy Group will release a formal recommendation in June 2023. The French position in this respect is clear-cut: the band considered shall meet the needs of broadcasting as a priority. Other needs (security, defence among others) will be examined in light of how those of DTT will develop.
The decision expected by WRC-23 shall not impact Europe’s plans and schedule regarding this issue, as per earlier decisions made by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.”
Source: March 2022 – ” L’ANFR décode la CMR-23 – Point 1.5 : une attribution mobile dans la bande audiovisuelle 470-694 MHz ? ”
