5G from 2020: The European Commission presented a proposal indicating the change of the frequency used by the TV to transmit its signal.
The change according to the EP is considered necessary by all European countries to allocate extra bandwidth to users' insatiable appetite for data.
At present, the 700 MHz UHF band is mainly used for television broadcasting, but according to the EP it should be reallocated for high-speed mobile services and IoT support.
Ultimately, this is required for the disposal of 5G. As noted by Commissioner for Digital Economy, Günther Oettinger:
“Δεν μπορούμε να έχουμε mobile internet υψηλής ποιότητας για όλα, για όλους και παντού, αν δεν έχουμε σύγχρονες υποδομές και σύγχρονους κανονισμούς. Με την πρόταση αυτή θα δείξουμε ότι μπορούμε να έχουμε και τα two: ένα ζωντανό οπτικοακουστικό τομέα, καθώς και ένα φάσμα που θα χρειαστεί για το 5G. Η ζώνη των 700 MHz είναι ιδανική για νέους υποσχόμενους τομείς όπως την αυτόματη οδήγηση και το Διαnetwork of things. I want Europe to get 5G. That is why all member states must act from 2020.”
TV friends have nothing to fear, as UHF bands below 700 MHz will still be for audiovisual transmission.
Oettinger says that all European Member States should make the change from 2020 in time for the release of 5G.
Naturally, coordination of 28 country policy is not an easy task.
Some countries, however, seem to have the readiness to respond quickly. France and Germany for example have already approved the use of 700MHz for mobile services, while Denmark, Finland, Sweden and the UK have plans to start procedure in the coming years.
