A National Policy Framework for Identifying Spectrum for the Digital Dividend
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources have published a paper on the development of a National Policy Framework for identifying spectrum for the Digital Dividend in March 2009.
The purpose of the policy paper is to establish a policy framework for identifying the spectrum required for television broadcasting in the UHF band as well as identifying the spectrum that could be released for use by other services. It does not address how the released spectrum should be used. The proposals in the paper are intended to give policy guidance for the preparatory work necessary to determine the use of the band 470 to 862 MHz in the digital only era, post analogue switch-off. They do not impact on the intial roll-out of DTT in accordance with the current DTT frequency plan.
At regular intervals ComReg, who have the lead role in this area though working closely with the BCI and RTE, should report to the Department on the progress of the work as various policy objectives might need to be adjusted to take account of any constraints arising from the detailed planning and international coordination work.
The European Commission helded a public consultation in July 2009 on "Transforming the digital dividend opportunity into social benefits and economic growth in Europe"
In October 2009 they issued a recommendation on ‘Facilitating the release of the digital dividend in the European Union".