Carried out by LStelcom and VVA , the study reveals a wide range of views across EU member states , with different trends and contexts in each country . For this very reason , however , there is little scope for consensus on any large change to the current approach . Indeed , a majority of member states indicated that they do not have sufficient information to comment on the likelihood of additional sub-1 GHz spectrum being required for mobile services .

Next year ’ s ITU World Radiocommunication Conference ( WRC-23 ) will consider , among other things , the future use of the UHF band . European regulators and administrations are currently defining their approach to this question , with the EBU urging a ‘ No Change ’ position .

While the importance of DTT varies from country to country , opening the spectrum it currently uses to mobile services would require a significant coordination effort across the continent . Furthermore , the trend for PMSE services is of increasing needs for UHF spectrum , which is ideally suited to the stringent technical requirements of this sector .

While the importance of DTT varies from country to country , opening the spectrum it currently uses to mobile services would require a significant coordination effort across the continent .

The EBU is now analysing the study ’ s results and preparing to comment in detail .

The study presents the DTT technology developments as regards capacity , spectrum efficiency and quality of enduser experience . According to the study conclusions , there has been good progress in adopting newer standards and technologies in the EU . Notably :

• Approximately 60 % of all national multiplexes are already using the most advanced transmission standard ( DVB-T2 ) with around 40 % of them using the most advanced encoding standard ( HEVC )

• At least 12 MS are already using Single Frequency Networks ( SFNs ) to some extent in their DTT networks The report suggests , however , that improvements still can be made in a number of Member States . One of the reasons that Member States have not made them already is the low uptake of DTT that limits commercial viability of upgrades . 5G Broadcast is promising , as there are quite a few trials . However , some uncertainties , such as the availability of 5G broadcast equipment and appropriate business models , still persist . Linear TV watched on different platforms , such as DTT , satellite , cable or IPTV , remains the preferred way of watching TV , at least among the older generations . The study forecasts that while the number of households using IPTV may increase by 2030 , for all other platforms the demand is likely to decrease . Significant differences exist among Member States as regards the predominant platform for watching linear TV , for example while DTT is preferred platform in Italy and Spain , cable is in Belgium and Denmark and IPTV in France and Slovenia .

Usage of the sub-700 MHz spectrum for Programme making and special events ( PMSE ) also varies significantly between EU countries depending on the number or frequencies of events . Technological developments help improve the spectral efficiency of PMSE , but in many cases this only serves to meet the increasing demand .