The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has today published its Response to Consultation on Ireland’s Digital Dividend.

As Europe migrates from analogue to digital terrestrial television, the possibility arises for carrying an even greater volume of information over radio spectrum. This move to digital television has the potential to release a spectrum dividend or Digital Dividend, which may be used for additional and enhanced television services and also for new and innovative telecommunications services.

Ireland’s Digital Dividend provides a unique opportunity to develop and utilise new and innovative forms of broadcasting and communications services for the benefit of the citizens of Ireland.

ComReg Commissioner Mike Byrne said: “ComReg’s Response to Consultation is an important step in the development of a more detailed roadmap to Ireland’s digital dividend and highlights considerable support for ComReg’s proposals to:

• clear the 800 MHz band to accommodate uses other than broadcasting and provide timely access to this band;
• consider additional digital dividend spectrum, once the benefits of the 800 MHz band can be fully realised and the core digital broadcasting requirements can be protected; and
• encourage innovation through Test & Trial Ireland rather than create a spectrum innovation reserve using digital dividend spectrum.

ComReg will now further develop its position on Ireland’s Digital Dividend and will consult again on the matter, having regard to the issues raised to date and developments at a national and international level.
Digital Dividend

“Digital Dividend is the spectrum over and above the frequencies required to support existing [analogue] broadcasting services in a fully digital environment, including current public service obligations.”

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Reaping the full benefits of the digital dividend in Europe: A common approach to the use of the spectrum released by the digital switchover (November 2007)

Test & Trial Ireland

Test & Trial Ireland allows the test or trial of wireless communications devices in Ireland and has been designed in conjunction with the industry to support the needs of the wireless research and development community in Ireland. For further information please visit www.testandtrial.ie

Source: http://www.comreg.ie/_fileupload/publications/PR201009.pdf