EBU hosts spectrum debate at WRC-12

EBU Deputy Director of Technology & Development, David Wood, addresses the working lunch

The EBU has hosted a debate on radio spectrum involving the world's broadcasting unions, interest groups and leaders of the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12), on day two of the four-week, ITU-led symposium, in Geneva.

The conference, one of an ongoing series, endeavours to agree the policies that nations should adopt for using radio spectrum. It is widely acknowledged as the place where the future of world broadcasting takes shape. 

This year's agenda is full of important issues, some of which may bring changes to the way the television broadcasting bands are used in future. 

The discussion, during an EBU-hosted working lunch on Tuesday (January 24), drew frank exchanges about the relative positions that terrestrial broadcasting and wireless broadband should have in the spectrum used today by television broadcasting.  

Spectrum allocation is a thorny issue, since terrestrial television systems are evolving, while demand for wireless broadband is rising fast. The dilemma for the decision makers is how to decide on priorities.The meeting was hosted by EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre and EBU Director of Technology & Development, Lieven Vermaele.  

EBU Deputy Director of Technology & Development, David Wood, who is also Chairman of the World Broadcasting Unions Technical Committee, said the world's terrestrial broadcasting community will argue for adequate spectrum for the evolution of terrestrial broadcasting.   

All the delegates keenly contributed to the discussion, agreeing that it had helped reach a common understanding.

(Source : European Broadcasting Union)