EPP HEARING „A RADIO SPECTRUM POLICY PROGRAMME FOR EUROPE“ Impacts of the Digital Switchover on EU citizens

Digital terrestrial Television (DTT) is a success in Europe  2010 : a milestone year for DTT in Europe 1460 channels 700 local channels  DTT strengthens infrastructure competition and helps to keep prices for TV reception low

The RSPP will decide whether DTT continues to be a success  A major redeployement of UHF spectrum below 800 Mhz to mobile operators will be the end of DTT  New mobile services will focus on popular content  Access to audiovisual content via mobile internet will be restricted to those who can afford it

A win-win scenario ?  Where high demand meets scarce resources there is no win-win scenario. There are conflicting interests  The RSPP must respect existing legislation  The RSPP should therefore reflect a balance between social, cultural and economic interests as set out in the new Telecom Package

A harmonized 800 MHz Band for mobile internet  There is a need to harmonise the 800 MHz Band and open it for mobile internet services  There must be clear rules on migration costs resulting from freeing up the 800 Mhz Band  Before any further discussion on the digital dividend a sound assessment of the experiences made in the 800 MHz Band is needed