Paris hosted last 19-21 March the second meeting of ECC TG4, with the aim of finalising the first of the three reports this group will have to prepare, on aspects associated with the possible digital dividend.
The first report, exclusively concerning networks that only downlink to receivers (DVB-H, MediaFlo, etc.), basically focused on two issues:
- Compatibility problems between Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DVB-T) networks for fixed reception (networks not very dense in terms of emitters) and networks for the mobile reception of multimedia services (networks very dense in terms of emitters);
- The possibility of harmonising a sub-band in bands IV and V, for operation of networks for the mobile reception of multimedia services.
The report concluded that the two network types are generally compatible; in some well-determined zones where interference is possible a number of technical solutions to mitigate the problem are identified. As for the possibility of harmonising a sub-band, the report is not conclusive. It indicates the advantages and disadvantages of harmonising, or not, a sub-band comprising four or eight radio channels (32 MHz or 64 MHz). Note, however, that if harmonisation is indeed implemented it should not be binding; the criteria for its adoption should be left up to each administration.
