Digital UK weighs into TV white space debate

Digital UK has put its support behind broadcast regulator Ofcom’s plans to make better use of the ‘white space’ spectrum, but warned that appropriate measures should be taken “to protect terrestrial television services from interference.”

In a response to Ofcom’s TV white space consultation, Digital UK’s joint submission – which represents the views of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Arqiva – backed “the principle of developing white space devices and Ofcom’s plans to explore ways of making more efficient use of spectrum.”

“If deployed effectively, this area of innovation is expected to offer significant benefits for consumers, the broadcast industry and wider stakeholders. Potential applications identified by Ofcom include WiFi hotspots, rural broadband and machine-to-machine communications,” said Digital UK.

However, the not-for profit organisation called on Ofcom to make sure that DTT services remained interference-free, adding that it was specifically concerned about “the impact on viewers using indoor aerials and the uncertainty caused by potential future changes in the amount of spectrum allocated to terrestrial television.”

Digital UK manages strategy and policy for digital terrestrial television in the UK and led the successful implementation of digital TV switchover from 2008-2012. Ofcom is currently planning its pilot of innovative white space technology in the UK, which it claims is among the first of its kind in Europe.