Discussing the TV 2012 ASO and resulting’Digital Dividend’ becoming available

On March 5th 2009, Minister Eamonn Ryan announced a framework for the future management of the radio frequency spectrum in Ireland. Radio frequency spectrum means  the “airwaves” used by broadcast, media and telecommunications services. A framework document published by Minister Ryan  identifies the spectrum that will be released by analogue switch-off and that will inform the debate about how best to use this new digital dividend.Following on from that, the Communications Regulator (Comreg) is to shortly publish a consultation paper inviting submissions on this topic.

Minister Eamonn Ryan commented: “Radio spectrum is one of this country’s greatest natural resources, essential for the operation of our digital, telecommunications, and broadcasting industries. The increase in spectrum generated by the move to digital television will provide us with an unprecedented opportunity to grow and develop our indigenous digital economy.

Ireland is well positioned to capitalise on the emergence of a new global digital economy. By being smart and innovative with this digital dividend, we will create jobs and investment in the development of new technological goods and services”, he noted.

For more see: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/Minister+Ryan+announces+framework+for+use+of+Ireland%E2%80%99s+airwaves.htm

This follows on from the Irish Government Document ‘Building Ireland’s Smart Economy’, which outlines the policy approach towards Ireland’s future, referring to digital TV switchover on pages 19 and 95 at http://193.178.1.117/attached_files/Pdf%20files/Building%20Ireland%E2%80%99s%20Smart%20Economy.pdf referring to its plan advising as Government that:’ We will introduce a new terrestrial digital television service in 2009 and secure a digital dividend in 2012 with the switch off of the analogue transmission service’.

Also Commissioner Reding  of the Information Society & Media Directorate of the European Commission late last year on Digital Dividend policy EU wide being pursued spoke on The digital dividend: A unique opportunity for Europe’s wireless economy ComReg Conference “How Ireland can best benefit from its digital dividend” Dublin, 1 October 2008 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/08/476&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=nl

ComReg has launched its consultation on the digital dividend and invites parties interested in its use to make their submissions before May 7th,2009. To download its points of discussion and consideration and submissions format click here: http://www.comreg.ie/_fileupload/publications/ComReg0915.pdf

Topics covered include:

*the option of clearing the 800 MHz sub-band to accommodate uses other than broadcasting and providing access to it in a timely manner.
*Exploring opportunities for sub-bands other than the 800 MHz sub-band as part of Ireland’s digital dividend
*Considering whether some of the digital dividend could be set aside as an innovation reserve.

The Development of a National Policy Framework for identifying spectrum for the Digital
Dividend is available form the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources
website at:
http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Communications/Business+and+Technology/Spectrum+Policies+and+the
+Digital+Dividend.htm and the paper goes into detail regarding fomulation of the strategy, considerations. See:http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/5962FB63-6F77-49F9-BD65-A7B1A76036F2/0/DevelopmentofaNationalPolicyFrameworkforIdentifyingSpectrumfortheDigitalDividend.doc

There is a potential of course with the economic situation, and advertising slump of DTT rollout progress slowing. Final decisions have to be made and the DTT Info Campaign of the DCENR has to be finalised. But hopefully the end target date remains unchanged and stakeholder websites point to Autumn 2009 still. See: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055507504. DTT is in  test phase and should not be considered an operational service until launch as standards may change according to broadcaster enquiries and RTE NL. See: http://www.rtenl.ie/DTT.htm