Is the European Commission’s enthusiasm for DVB-H on the slide? Have a look at its communication from March this year, and then its statement from yesterday.
THEN:
Today, the Commission decided to add the Digital Video Broadcasting Handheld standard (DVB-H) to the EU List of Standards, which serves as a basis for encouraging the harmonised provision of telecommunications across the EU. The addition of DVB-H is a new step towards establishing a Single Market for Mobile TV in Europe that will enable all EU citizens to watch TV on the move.
"For Mobile TV to take off in Europe, there must first be certainty about the technology. This is why I am glad that with today's decision, taken by the Commission in close coordination with the Member States and the European Parliament, the EU endorse DVB-H as the preferred technology for terrestrial mobile broadcasting," said Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for the Information Society and Media. The next steps for implementing the EU strategy on mobile broadcasting will include guidance on the authorisation regimes as well as the promotion of rights management systems based, as is DVB-H, on open standards"
An EU-wide adoption of DVB-H will provide operators/industry with the necessary market scale to launch mass Mobile TV services across the EU. A European common standard will also benefit consumers, who will be able to watch TV on their own phones or mobile devices at any time, anywhere across Europe. After publication of the Commission decision in the EU List of Standards in the EU's Official Journal, Member States will be required to encourage the use of DVB-H. This clear support to the DVB family of standards is also an important signal given to third countries about to take a decision on the technology for digital and mobile broadcasting, using DVB-T, DVB-H and DVB-SH.
NOW:
“The objective of full interoperability across networks and devices remains important in order to make possible EU-wide roaming where appropriate, and interoperable solutions should be favoured. Developments in the market have shown that interoperability can be achieved when stakeholders act together with a common aim of implementing a technical standard such as DVB-H.”
“a technical standard such as DVB-H” … that’s an interesting little phrase. Where is the “certainty” now? Where is the “Member States will be required to encourage the use of DVB-H”.
It seems possible that the Commission does seem to be moving round to what many said before: that allocating spectrum on a technology-specific basis is not they way to go. Mostly, of course, yesterday's statement was looking at best practice for regulators in making spectrum awards.
"Successful commercial launches of Mobile TV in Austria, Italy, Finland and the Netherlands have proved that efficient authorisation procedures are a key factor for the fast take-up of Mobile TV. In Austria, 5,000 citizens were using Mobile TV within the first weeks of its launch. With predicted growth in sales during the Christmas period, many more Europeans should have the opportunity to watch TV on the go", said Viviane Reding, EU Telecoms and Media Commissioner. "This is why we want to give Member States guidance on how to allow industry to get these innovative services on track as quickly and smoothly as possible. We stand for a collaborative approach between all actors involved including broadcasters, mobile operators and platforms operators, andwe oppose heavy regulation or burdensome authorisation procedures for the introduction of Mobile TV in Europe."
But aside from those fine words, there were some interesting hints that the DVB-H or else approach of earlier this year is being toned down.
Yesterday's communication stated that "Aspects related to interoperability and roaming for mobile TV should be given due consideration in light of the wireless nature of the services." Due consideration. Another interesting choice of words.
The document also states that optimal use of the spectrum should be considered when making license awards, something that may prick up the ears of those not in the DVB-H camp.