Economic and social impact of repurposing the 700 MHz band for wireless broadband services in the European Union : final report

The purpose of the study is to contribute to the Commission Impact Assessment through the analysis of costs and benefits of various policy options on the use of 470-790MHz frequency band in the Union. Thus, the main objectives of the study were: Provide quantitative analysis of the transition costs of releasing the 700MHz band for wireless broadband. Such costs include: broadcaster's cost of migration to new technology including broadcasting network reconfiguration (DVB-T2/MPG4 and DVT-T2/HEVC); cost for PMSE industry; cost of consumers to adapt or upgrade TV receiver equipment. Assess in quantitative and qualitative terms the socio-economic impact of providing wireless broadband services such as direct and indirect economic effects on growth, employment and competitiveness; the potential for socio-economic benefits resulting from a favourable investment environment for wireless networks; societal costs and benefits resulting from improved connectivity and coverage. Provide qualitative analysis of the socio-cultural impact of releasing part or the whole UHF band for wireless broadband. Assess and compare against the baseline of no EU action the outcomes of the analysis in the previous tasks applied to the envisaged policy options for a Union's long-term strategy on the future use of the UHF broadcasting band, including an overview of the specific impacts per sector.