Digital dividend after digital television transition

Under the Digital Dividend (English digital dividend ) is the spectrum released by the digitization of broadcasting frequency bands (particularly through the conversion of analog to digital terrestrial television DVB -T).

Background vacant during the

The digital broadcasting requires only about 10 percent of the bandwidth, which would require a corresponding analog broadcast with comparable quality. This and the lower signal strength in the broadcast program operators can significantly reduce costs. Depending on the degree of compression of digital transmission up to 90 % of the frequency bands used hitherto free and can get other uses. Among other things, since the digitization significantly more television and radio programs are broadcast.

Future use

Escaping frequencies will now be used for broadband Internet connectivity of rural areas and also to the networks (mobile telephony) (see also Digital Divide ).

General criticism

• The term digital dividend is controversial: critics point out that it is misleading, because even after digitization still the same, rather than a larger, frequency band is available. That is just different occupied or split.
• Also contradictory are the specifications for the supply of areas with a low priority level. Control over the fulfillment of the supply is virtually impossible because the network operators 'voluntary' supply only documented in broadband atlas of TÜV Rheinland. Also equipped as "supplied" apply " white spots ", with all other technologies (fiber, cable, etc. ) are (except Satellite). The supply concept is therefore extremely vague and nebulous.
• The discussion, however, always depends on the frequency requirements of the primary broadcasting service (ITU -R terminology). Secondary radio uses are not taken into account by a very large number of wireless transmitters low power, so-called PMSE (CEPT terminology) or SAB / SAP (ITU -R terminology). This small transmitter, for example, wireless microphones and wireless rear hear stretching, are used extensively for the event operation, for example in art, culture, broadcasting, television and corporate use. Both within the CEPT, ITU -R but also in a number of countries, extensive studies are currently underway that describe these Terms and looking to secure a long-term use.

Situation in Germany

Spectrum auction in 2010

The Federal Network Agency auctioned on April 12, 2010 to May 20, 2010 frequencies in the 800 MHz band (formerly UHF, 790-862 MHz), 1.8 GHz (previously used by the Bundeswehr ), 2 GHz ( former Quam - and Centennial licenses for UMTS) and 2.6 GHz for wireless access for the provision of telecommunications services. The frequency assignments are up to 31 December 2025Vorlage: limited future / in 5 years.

" The frequencies in the 800 MHz abstract in five blocks of 2 x 5 MHz (paired ) and a concrete block of 2 x 5 MHz ( paired) provided for the award. "

The term coupled, that each frequency block includes two belong together frequency ranges for uplink and downlink.

Unlike the current frequency distribution in the mobile, the frequencies for the uplink ( terminal to base station) are higher than the frequencies for the downlink ( base station to the terminal). Presumably, this prevents that the transmission frequencies of the devices (mobile phones, wireless modems) disrupt the most nearby TVs and set -top boxes for the customer.

Between the upper limit of the TV channel 60 (790 MHz) and the downlink frequency of block A is a so-called guard channel width of 1 MHz was inserted as a safety margin.

Problems

One problem is that the frequencies around 850 MHz, the event technology their wireless microphones ( wireless mics: headset, lavalier and handheld mics ) operates. According to the Official Journal 91/2005 for radio microphones were the Federal Network Agency, valid until 2015, which ranges 790-814 MHz and 838 - 862 MHz allocated. This technique can be operated up to this point on, however, disturbances by the use of the digital dividend can not be excluded. If a trouble-free use of radio microphones must be ensured, it is possible to apply to the Federal Network Agency, individual assignments in other frequency ranges.

In order to ensure the continued smooth operation of wireless microphones, the Federal Network Agency has already started in the appropriate fora that even 2009 alternative frequency ranges are provided. These are after already placed on the way new spectrum plan the frequencies 470-790 MHz ( UHF Lower ), 822-832 MHz ( so-called duplex center gap - depending on the international definition ). It is possible that this area will be expanded nor down and / or above (1452 - 1477 MHz and 1785 - 1800 MHz, 1805 MHz → future harmonized European area).

After a technical consultant statement is also the frequency range from 863.125 to 864.875 MHz remain usable for event equipment.

In the proposed frequency usage conditions for the 800 - MHz range changes are to be expected since this stand the final decisions at European and national level yet.

For the cases in which existing technology must be no longer used and replaced by new ones, provision of subsidies is planned.

* Current use of channels for DVB -T:

• Channel 60: Bödefeld - Sauerland / / Siegen (yaw Mountain ) / / Nordhelle / / Heidelberg / / Pforzheim / / Baden -Baden / / Nuremberg
• Channel 64: Frankfurt- Ginn Home / / Grosser Feldberg im Taunus / / Hohe Wurzel im Taunus
• Channel 65: Osterode - Lasfelde ( Kalkberge ) / / Bad Lauterberg ( butter mountain ) / / Steina / resin / / Bad Sachsa ( Staufen constable )

In 2011 Fulda test transmissions were carried out between the 14th and 18th February.

Benefit obligations

Due to the legal requirements, a special pension obligation for the frequencies in the range 800 MHz provided. The license holder is then obliged to supply in all provinces in the use of these frequencies gradually areas according to priority levels with broadband connections. An Overview of underserved communities and boroughs of the Federal Network Agency has been reported from the provinces.

• Priority 1: unprovided regions (cities, municipalities or contiguous built-up districts with a population up to 5000)
• Priority 2: As always undersupplied applicable regions (cities, municipalities or contiguous built-up districts with a population of more than 5000 and up to 20,000 )
• Priority 3: As always supplied current regions (cities, municipalities or contiguous built-up districts with a population of more than 20,000 and up to 50,000 )
• Priority 4: As a principle widely available across the current regions (cities, municipalities or contiguous built-up districts with a population of more than 50,000 ).

From 1 January 2016, a penetration rate of 50% is reached in each province. The level 2 network expansion may take place only if at least 90% of stage 1 are supplied. For subsequent stages where: Step 3 - 90% of stage 2 are supplied, step 4 - the supply of at least 90 % of the level 3 is secured.

Second digital dividend

In February 2012, there were at the World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC -12) apply with respect to a second digital dividend, therefore, mobile operators should be allowed to spark in the future also in the range of 694-790 MHz. In event technicians circles this decision causes incomprehension, many companies bought after the first digital dividend new wireless microphones that spark 710-790 MHz in the there for her newly released frequency band. The possible second reorganization makes the long-term use of these devices probably from the 2026 impossible. The above WRC -12 has a study group used that examined in addition to investigating the future spectrum requirements of the mobile compatibility of TV reception and further use of wireless radio microphones (SAB / SAP). By orders only at the next World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC -15) is expected.