At the World Radiocommunications Conference 2023 (WRC-23), it was decided that broadcasting will remain the sole primary user in the frequency range between 470 and 694 MHz. The event industry (PMSE, Programme Making Special Events) will remain a secondary user in the TV UHF band with its wireless production equipment, as has been the case to date. The WRC decisions will not be reviewed until WRC-31.
“It is good and important that the frequency range between 470 and 694 MHz for terrestrial television, DVB-T2 and culture is now secured for the time being,” said Media State Secretary Heike Raab, from Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. She is one of the country’s leading media politicians.
“This ensures that DVB-T2 can remain an important building block for television coverage in the future in order to reach people directly, cost-effectively and reliably. In addition, broadcasters now have sufficient planning security to drive forward the development of 5G broadcasting,” continued Heike Raab.
However, as part of WRC-23, an additional secondary, i.e. subordinate, allocation to other sevices in the TV UHF band (470-694 MHz) was decided for individual European countries. “The status of a secondary user means that it must not interfere with the use of the frequencies by the primary user (terrestrial broadcasting).
We must now ensure that the European and national implementation of the WRC resolutions offers the event industry the greatest possible protection,” continued the State Secretary.
The World Radiocommunication Conference is held every four years at international level to decide on matters relating to radio communications. It is organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a sub-organisation of the United Nations. Global regulations are required to ensure the appropriate and interference-free use of the radio frequency spectrum by all radio services. This is done at international level through the Radio Regulations, which include the allocation of frequencies to individual radio services, such as broadcasting or mobile services. The resolutions passed at the WRC must then be implemented at European and national level.
Based on a declaration by the State Chancellery of Rhineland-Palatinate in German. Translation and expansion: SOS – Save Our Spectrum.
