El derecho de la Unión Europea

This section describes licensing options for DTT, taking into account the experience in other European countries in relation to the digital switchover (DSO). It is structured as follows:

 Section 7.1 presents options for the assignment of DTT frequencies – whether these are assigned to the multiplex operator or to the DTT broadcasters, and whether frequencies are assigned in blocks or individual transmitters are licensed separately

 Section 7.2 describes frequency assignment fees and subsidies  Section 7.3 deals with roll-out obligations on DTT

 Section 7.4 covers the different technology options used for DTT.

7.1 Licensing approaches

Many European regulators are now adopting market-based approaches, such as auctions and secondary trading, to the assignment of mobile spectrum. However, these approaches have not always been applied to spectrum used for broadcasting services, for various reasons. For example, the UK, Spain and France use auctions to assign spectrum for mobile services, but spectrum for broadcasting services has been directly assigned to the holders of the DTT content and/or multiplex licences. Different approaches have also typically been applied for allocation of licenses to existing analogue broadcasters for DTT and to new commercial broadcasters – for example, DTT licences are typically allocated directly to analogue broadcasters and through a beauty contest for new commercial broadcasters.

There are three levels of licensing that can be considered for DTT:

 digital channels (i.e. bits within a multiplex)

 multiplexes (i.e. spectrum)

 transmission and associated facilities (i.e. sites).

The approach adopted for the licensing of DTT therefore depends on the structure of the DTT market in question – and specifically, whether the broadcasting market is vertically integrated or not.46

Figure 7.1 summarises the different award and frequency assignment methods used in these countries.

46

Vertical integration refers to the national broadcaster(s) also operating the transmission network for the terrestrial broadcast network. In some countries, separation has been applied between broadcasters and the transmission network, so that independent multiplex operator(s) provide the transmission infrastructure for some or all broadcasters.

Figure 7.1: Comparison of DTT licensing approaches [Source: Analysys Mason, 2012]

Country Award method Frequency assignment

France  Direct award to PSB channels

 Beauty contest for other TV channels

 Frequencies are assigned by

TV channel

Germany  Direct award to PSB channels, and

applications/beauty contest for regional commercial programming

 Frequencies are assigned by

multiplex

Italy  PSB awarded incremental multiplex

 No incremental frequencies assigned to

commercial broadcasters

 Broadcasters allowed to purchase frequencies

from local players to build multiplexes for digital

 Frequencies are assigned per

multiplex

Spain  Direct award to established players and a

beauty contest for new entrants

 Frequencies were assigned by

TV channel before the analogue switch-off (ASO) and by multiplex after the ASO

Sweden  Broadcasters with analogue licences were

invited to participate in the development of the DTT platform, but had to apply for a licence

 Frequencies are assigned by

TV channel

UK  Direct award for PSB

 Beauty contest for commercial multiplexes

 Frequencies are assigned per

multiplex

As noted above, in some countries there is a vertically integrated DTT market in which broadcasters also provide transmission of DTT services, whereas in other countries, there is a separate, independent, transmission operator(s) in the market. This is reflected in different approaches to the award of DTT spectrum licences, as shown below in Figure 7.2.

Figure 7.2: Comparison of treatment on network operators and content providers in Europe [Source: Analysys Mason, 2012]

Country Industry structure

UK  6 DTT multiplexes and over 50 FTA DTT TV channels, all of which are transmitted by

Arqiva

France  Transmission carried out by Télédiffusion de France (TDF), Antalis and towerCast

(independent network operators)

Germany  Multiplex licences are issued independently by the Federal State Media Authorities.

Multiplex deployment varies from one state to another. In addition to regional multiplexes, Germany also has two national DTT multiplexes: one public multiplex operated by Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der

Bundesrepublik Deutschland (ARD); and one public multiplex operated by Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF)

Italy  The market is vertically integrated but legislation has imposed separation of

transmission towers

Spain  Transmission towers are managed by Abertis Telecom

Figure 7.2 shows that assigning frequencies by multiplex is the method most commonly used, rather than assigning frequencies by individual DTT programming channel, or by DTT transmitter. The former approach enables multiplex operators to plan the DTT network within the available frequencies assigned to the multiplex, in accordance with the agreed co-ordination parameters (i.e. as defined within the ITU-R GE-06 Agreement and Plan47 and the associated bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries).

7.2 Frequency assignment, fees and subsidies

Where subsidies have been applied for DSO, Governments have generally subsidised the purchase of the equipment required to upgrade public broadcasting stations from analogue to digital, including subsidies towards the purchase of set-top boxes (STBs).

Annual licence fees paid for DTT frequency assignments are typically paid by the licence holders (typically broadcasters or the DTT multiplex operator(s) depend on national regulations, but there are different approaches and fee levels applied across Europe. Some countries, such as the UK, have considered the application of market-based pricing to DTT spectrum (i.e. pricing that reflects the opportunity cost of spectrum); however, this has not been implemented as yet.48

Figure 7.3 summarises different licence fees, and subsidies, applied for the DSO in selected European countries. Note that we have not been able to obtain information in relation to the approach adopted in some of the countries shown.

Figure 7.3: Pricing of spectrum used for DTT and DSO subsidies [Source: Analysys Mason, 2012]

Country Frequency assignment fee Subsidies

France  No spectrum fee for broadcasters. The

‘30 September 1986’ law requires the use of spectrum for radio and TV

broadcasters to be free of charge

-

Germany  An initial one-off fee was paid when a

frequency licence is awarded (EUR125 per 10km² covered (min. 450))

 An annual fee is also paid, comprising a

spectrum administration fee and an electromagnetic compatibility fee (EUR23.72 per 10km² covered)

 The government subsidised the cost

of upgrading the public broadcasters’ analogue equipment

 The incentives and subsidies

provided to terrestrial TV broadcasters increased their commitment to DTT roll-out

Italy  Annual fees depend on the number of

inhabitants that a licence allows the licensee to reach

 Moreover, there are frequency fees for the

TV broadcasting network licensees which vary depending on the bandwidth held

-

Spain  Annual fees depend on several factors

including area covered by the licence and radio bandwidth used

-

47

Results of the ITU Regional Radio Conference 2006: http://www.itu.int/ITU-R/terrestrial/broadcast/plans/ge06/index.html

48

Country Frequency assignment fee Subsidies

Sweden No information No information

UK  Calculated differently depending on the

type of broadcaster. For some categories, the annual licence fee is calculated as a percentage for different brackets of the licensee’s relevant turnover (revenues of the licensed services net of value-added tax) for the year ending 31 December 2008

 Ofcom allows monthly payments when the

annual licence fee exceeds GBP75 000

 For other categories, a fixed fee is

charged annually

 The government launched the

Switchover Help Scheme to subsidise the switch-over to digital for households in which one or more members are at least 75 years old, or receive a Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, or are registered as blind or partially sighted

7.3 Roll-out obligations

Roll-out obligations on DTT multiplexes are typically defined as part of the DSO process. In some cases, coverage obligations for digital broadcasting have been set at a lower threshold (of population and/or geography) in comparison to previous analogue obligations. This sometimes reflects a change in market conditions, in that in many countries, TV viewers may use alternative platforms (e.g. satellite, cable or IPTV) for digital broadcasting, compared to analogue. Therefore, the reliance upon terrestrial broadcasting as the only means of receiving TV services is somewhat reduced in comparison to earlier years. In some cases, the roll-out obligation upon PSB multiplexes is set at a higher level that for the commercial multiplexes.

Figure 7.4 summarises some roll-out obligations on DTT applied in different European countries.

Figure 7.4: Summary of DTT roll-out obligations [Source: Analysys Mason, 2012]

Country Coverage obligations Channel obligations

France  95% by 2011 (expressed in terms of

number of transmission sites to be used for DTT)

 Simulcasting FTA

Germany  Frequency licensees are subject to

coverage obligations

-

Italy  70% for RAI after three years; 50% for

other channels after three years

 Maximum coverage obligation: 80%

 Simulcasting FTA of existing analogue

channels in SD

Spain  Year 1: 80% for established players

and 25% for new entrants

 Year 2: 80% for new entrants

 Year 4: 90%

 Year 6: 95% for commercial

broadcasters; 98% for PSBs

 Simulcasting FTA

 Four channels per multiplex

recommended

Sweden  99.8% for PSB multiplex

 98% for other multiplexes

-

UK  90.5% for all 6 multiplexes by 2012

 98.5% for 3 PSBs by 2012

 Simulcasting FTA

 2 multiplexes (ITV and ITV/Channel 4)

Country Coverage obligations Channel obligations

 PSBs must offer their public service

broadcasting channels to all the main distribution platforms, which have a corresponding obligation to make them available on an FTA basis

usage (to be reserved for ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and S4C Wales programming

 BBC only broadcasts BBC channels

 Spectrum needs to be fully used

7.4 DTT technology options

The most widely used standard for DTT to date has been digital video broadcasting – terrestrial (DVB-T), although many countries are now planning migration from this to DVB-T2.

The DVB-T standard uses coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (COFDM) and includes three different modulation schemes (QPSK, 16 QAM and 64 QAM), as well as different configurations of guard interval and error correction. The standard bit rate varies between 8Mbit/s and 27Mbit/s, depending on the modulation level used. Different versions of MPEG coding can also be used (e.g. MPEG-2 and MPEG-4), which affect picture quality and the capacity of the multiplexes to carry programme channels.

The choice between MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 (and between DVB-T and DVB-T2) affects the number of programming channels that can be delivered per multiplex. This typically ranges from up to 8 SD or 1 HD channel per multiplex (using MPEG-2 and DVB-T), to around 20 SD or 5 HD channels (using MPEG-4 and DVB-T2).

Figure 7.5 summarises the deployment approaches used to DTT deployment in selected European countries.

Figure 7.5: Comparison of approaches used to DTT deployment [Source: Analysys Mason, 2012]

Country Compression standard Transmission standard

France  MPEG-2/MPEG-4 for pay TV

and HDTV

 DVB-T: one multiplex has been converted to

HD and the remaining multiplexes are SD

Germany  MPEG-2/MPEG-4 for pay TV

(DVB-T2 trials)

 DVB-T2 trials are underway

Italy  MPEG-2/MPEG-4 for HDTV  Europa 7 HD is now operating using one

DVB-T2 multiplex

Spain  MPEG-2/MPEG-4 for HD

transmissions

 DVB-T2 trials are underway

Sweden  MPEG-2/MPEG-4 for multiplex 6  HD services over DVB-T2 were launched during

November 2010, providing FTA channels plus pay TV channels via the provider Boxer. It is estimated that HD coverage will reach 70% of the population by the end of 2010. Services have been launched using a new sixth UHF multiplex, with a seventh VHF/UHF multiplex also planned

UK  MPEG-2/DVB-T2 used for

HDTV

 One of the six national DTT multiplexes has

been converted to ‘Freeview HD’, using DVB- T2, which launched in 2009/2010

In document EVALUACIÓN DE IMPACTO AMBIENTAL EN EL MERCOSUR (página 67-71)