Transition to digital broadcasting and the digital dividend
Benefits of digitization for electronic communications services and information companies in the future
Workshop for public consultation
Contact information:
Dada, a.s.
Hana Zdražilová
Tel.: +420 222 809 300
zdrazilova@dada.cz
www.digitalni-dividenda.cz
Location:
Clarion Congress Hotel Prague
Freyova 33
190 00 Praha 9
Česká republika
Dear users of the radio spectrum,
Last year, we initiated a discussion on topical issues regarding administration of the radio spectrum in conjunction with the digitization of TV broadcasting and its benefits known as the digital dividend. The discussion took place in August and the results were summarized at a workshop in September.
The consultations and meetings at the workshop, as well as the evaluation of positions and the monitoring of discussions on the digital dividend in the EU, confirmed that the utilization of the available band 470-862 MHz is crucial to the development of existing and new mobile electronic communications services and that a second round of consultations, focusing specifically on the use of the digital dividend in this band, would be expedient.
This is procedure is of the essence, provided the greatest benefits of digitization in the broader context are to be attained. The previous consultations also confirmed that digitization itself is the first step and that the main socio-economic benefits expected in Europe are, in particular, the introduction of advanced forms of television broadcasting (including HDTV) and mobile broadband networks.
The successful completion of the transition from analog to digital TV broadcasting is a fundamental condition. At present, the progress in building new networks for digital broadcasting can be evaluated as positive. There are four networks operating, two of which now cover a significant part of the country's territory and population. On the other hand, there was a slowdown in growth, particularly in broadcast network 4, including filling the network's capacity. Furthermore, the process of the gradual blanket shutdown, according to the Technical Transition Plan, associated with overlapping digital broadcasting coverage and shutting down the low-power analog transmitters, has yet to begin.
The Technical Transition Plan's scheduled date for terminating analog TV broadcasting in the majority of the Czech Republic's territory, November 11, 2011, means that now is the time to discuss the terms and methods of introducing new technologies and services. And this is also the aim of the second round of consultations, ending again with a workshop.
PhDr. Pavel Dvořák, CSc.
Chairman of the Council
Czech Telecommunications Office
www.ctu.cz