Cable Europe and ZVEI sound alarm on 700MHz proposal

Cable association Cable Europe and German electronics manufacturers’ trade body ZVEI have called on the EC to ensure that any second digital dividend in the 700MHz spectrum band ensures practical coexistence between new mobile services and the existing equipment and services already providing European consumers and business with connectivity.

Cable Europe said that there had been no discussion of studying the impact of new mobile services on existing equipment and services used in Europe. Without such study, it said, existing investments by businesses and consumers in services and equipment could be threatened.

“As we move to a potential second digital dividend, it is vital to ensure that no question remains as to what happens or who is liable should harmful interference occur. That question, following the adoption of the RSPP this week, remains unanswered today,” said Cable Europe in a statement. The EU’s Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP) was approved on February 15.

The prospect of a second digital dividend after digital switchover was raised at the recent ITU WRC-12 conference in Geneva, when Arab and African administrations called for an additional allocation of spectrum for mobile services in the 700MHz band.