The Communication provides guidelines for EU Member States (EU MS), the Industry and the EC, in order to ensure a successful introduction and take-up of Mobile TV in the EU. In this Communication, “Mobile TV refers to the transmission of audiovisual content to a mobile device” (“there are several devices available for receiving mobile TV but the most common is the mobile phone”). Mobile TV is an essential stage in the way towards convergence; and it could be a market of € 7 billion to € 20 billion; this Communication is therefore an important text for the EC.

The Communication outlines three key factors for success:

Technical aspects: the EC clearly identifies DVB-H as the “strongest contender for future terrestrial Mobile TV deployment in Europe”. The EC indeed considers that certainty is a necessity in this field; the Industry should therefore agree on a single technical standard. The EC’s choice for DVB-H is based on the following reasons: “DVB-H is fully backwards compatible with DVB-T” (and the latter is used everywhere in Europe); moreover, “in terms of know-how, network operators have experience in building and operating DBV-T networks”; and the “majority of European, US and Asian manufacturers propose DVB-H equipment and systems solutions as DVB-H is a fully standardized system”. Additionally, the EC recalls that the “DVB family is actively promoted by EU funded research”. Finally, DVB-H is being trialed “in most countries [in Europe] and widely considered as an open and robust standard”.

So, the EC will soon add DVB-H to the list of standards published in the EU Official Journal; the EC intends EU MS to encourage the use of DVB-H for Mobile TV.
And, if the Industry and EU MS can’t agree on a standard for Mobile TV, the EC will “come forward with proposals in mid-2008, including, if appropriate, steps to make an open standard mandatory” (preceded by a public consultation).

A regulatory environment conducive to innovation and investments (authorisations): The EC insists on the fact that EU MS should ensure a light-touch regulatory environment for Mobile TV (and underlines that must-carry obligations can’t be imposed in this perspective). The “EC will provide guidance on regulatory issues through guidelines and recommendations as appropriate”; this could mean adoption of a Commission Recommendation “setting out common rules and may include provisions on licensing procedures, network infrastructure sharing and other conditions attached to the authorization”; this would also mean “exchange of best practices” in the field of authorisations.

Ensuring quality spectrum for Mobile TV services: The EC recommends that the Digital Dividend be used for Mobile TV – spectrum in the UHF Band (470-862 MHz). EU MS should then “assess the feasibility of earmarking a sub-band for Mobile TV within the digital dividend”. There will be a Commission Communication on the Digital Dividend (published at the end of 2007). L-Band (1452-1492 MHz) could be used as a fall-back solution in several markets where there is no spectrum available (the EC has made proposals to open up the use of this band in order to accommodate other technologies than digital radio based on DAB.

In the accompanying Impact Assessment, the L-Band is actually presented as the first band being harmonized at EU level through binding measures (where possible; where it is not possible, “soft law” instruments would be used in order to encourage earmarking of a sub-band for Mobile TV, especially in the UHF band).

Finally, the Communication highlights that a successful strategy for Mobile TV should also include content availability, regulated by the proposed new Directive on Audiovisual Media Services (whether broadcast or on-demand). Copyrights questions should also be taken into account; the EC will publish a Communication on content online (“in the course of 2007”), which will inter alia deal with Mobile TV-related issues.

Next steps:

The EC strongly suggests that:
- The EU MS encourage the introduction and take-up of Mobile TV services using DVB-H, through a favourable regulatory environment and release of spectrum (especially in the UHF Band when available).
- Industry promote consensus around a common open standard (DVB-H).

The EC will:
- include DVB-H in the official list of standards of the EU (soon)
- May come forward with proposals including, if necessary and appropriate, steps to make an open standard mandatory (mid-2008): public consultation + Directive
- May adopt a Recommendation on authorization regimes
- Adopt Communication on the Digital Dividend (end of 2007)
- Adopt Communication on Content online (“in the course of 2007”)

CEPT should adopt a recommendation on the use of L-Band.

To access the Communication, please click here
To access the Impact Assessment, please click here
To read the EC Press release on the Communication, please click here
To read the EC FAQ on the Communication, please click here