[opendtv] Woodward keeping 'open mind' on spectrum
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:27:51 -0400
"While research showed viewers expected to be able to watch HD channels
without subscribing to satellite or cable, public service broadcasters
would not be in a position to bid 'for the spectrum to carry them, given
the likely competition with businesses that can charge a premium to
their customers.'"
In spite of the rhetoric, it looks like some analysts do expect the UK
spectrum auctions to go to the highest bidder, and extra spectrum for
Freeview HDTV might be hard to come by.
It has long seemed obvious to me that if people all over start buying
flat panel TVs, which are universally at the very least ED quality, and
more frequently HD, they will expect good quality images on them no
matter what the source. Freeview may have to upgrade without more
spectrum.
Bert
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http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?class=countries&subclass=0&id=2309
Woodward keeping 'open mind' on spectrum
Broadcasting minister Shaun Woodward says ministers are keeping an "open
mind" on calls for spectrum use after digital switchover. An alliance of
public service broadcasters, consumer electronics manufacturers and
retailers is lobbying the Government over an Ofcom recommendation that
all the spectrum liberated by analogue switch-off should be auctioned in
2008.
The HD for All alliance wants a third of the spectrum to be set aside so
that five high-definition television channels could be launched on
Freeview. Without the ring-fencing of spectrum for HD, the alliance
fears it will all be sold to telecommunications groups for services such
as mobile broadcast television. Ofcom's Digital Dividend Review
consultation ends on Tuesday.
Addressing journalists at a press conference unveiling the digital
switchover date for Whitehaven, Woodward said switchover would make
future services such as HD and mobile TV possible. Asked by Lovelace
Consulting if spectrum would be set aside, Woodward said it was "very
important" that Ofcom's "work is allowed to play out". "We are very
mindful of the public service arguments," said Woodward, but ministers
could not predict what the spectrum might best be used for in future.
"The danger here is that we try to see around corners," added Woodward.
Last week trade and industry minister Margaret Hodge sought to dispel
industry speculation that Chancellor Gordon Brown is seeking to maximise
revenues from the spectrum auction. "This spectrum [auction] is not
about maximising money for the Treasury," Hodge told the Digital
Television Group's annual summit.
In a letter to The Guardian yesterday, the HD for All alliance said more
than 4m people would buy HD-ready screens this year. While research
showed viewers expected to be able to watch HD channels without
subscribing to satellite or cable, public service broadcasters would not
be in a position to bid "for the spectrum to carry them, given the
likely competition with businesses that can charge a premium to their
customers".
Lovelace Consulting 16.03.2007
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