As the International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) enters its final week, the North American Broadcasters Association is gratified by the continued broad, multi-country appreciation of the ongoing importance of free over-the-air (OTA) broadcasting. At the start of the conference, some 34 nations spanning all ITU regions and all continents, had voiced support for maintaining the present UHF spectrum allocation for free-to-air television broadcast. The number of nations now expressing support for maintaining the present UHF allocation has more than tripled to about 125.
In the face of this overwhelming support, one wireless industry trade group is in full spin mode, frantically claiming the support is based on “misinformation.” In fact, it is the wireless industry that has been spreading misinformation concerning its proposals. While wireless interests argue that adding a primary mobile allocation in the band would result in “harmonization,” the truth is that it would result in confusion, disruption, and fragmentation. Studies show the two services to be incompatible, with massive separation distances required to avoid interference between them. In border regions, no operation by either service would be allowed. This would result in inefficient use of radio spectrum – an important natural resource.
Nations around the world plainly recognize and soundly reject the position of the mobile broadband interests to shift from a free one-to-everyone model to a paid one-to-one model. A large and diverse group of countries continues to recognize the importance of broadcasting as an instrument of freedom of expression and the most effective and efficient means of using spectrum to deliver educational and emergency information to an entire population.
“NABA and its global partners are dedicated to ensuring that free-to-air television continues to provide public service and creative content to all. Despite the efforts by the wireless industry to persuade countries to support their view they have not been successful. A much larger group of nations recognizes the continued importance of OTA television including its spectrum efficiency, its prospects of continued technological advancement, and its delivery of new services.” -Michael McEwen, Director-General, NABA
NABA remains firmly committed to addressing the preservation of the terrestrial and satellite broadcasting spectrum and protection of it from interference.