Challenges and opportunities of broadcast-broadband convergence and its impact on spectrum and network use : final report

The Study considered three key questions: 1) How will audio-visual (AV) consumption in the European Union change over the next 15 years? 2) How will broadcast-broadband services develop in that period? 3) Is there merit in moving to a converged platform in which mobile and terrestrial TV broadcast services share common infrastructure and UHF spectrum? Traditional linear TV over broadcast networks dominates AV consumption today. This could change substantially by 2030 with fixed broadband and Wi-Fi playing a growing role in delivering and distributing video content - both as a substitute for, and a complement to, traditional broadcast networks. But there is considerable uncertainty over the scale of these effects, which require the construction of scenarios for AV consumption against which to assess the merits of a converged platform. The best option for such a converged platform involves moving the DTT network from its current high-power high-tower topology to the low-power low-tower (LPLT) topology of the mobile networks. Making such a move requires substantial amounts of spectrum below 700 MHz for simulcasting and relies heavily on the use of co-channel single frequency networks (SFNs). Assuming these challenges are met, the main incremental benefit comes from the release of between 110 and 175 MHz of UHF spectrum. The Study report concludes that the case for moving to a converged platform is not yet made. The incremental benefits of a converged platform are uncertain when compared to the incremental costs of transition. The Study team recommended a review of the case for a converged platform, when market uncertainty is reduced in three to five years' time. In such a review a converged platform should be assessed alongside other options for use of sub-700 MHz spectrum. The Commission will assess the outcome of the study in the context of EU level audio-visual and broadband policies and in particular regarding the long-term strategy for the future use of the UHF band (470-790 MHz).