Digital Dividend review

Digital Dividend Review: geographic interleaved awards 470-550 MHz and 630-790 MHz - consultation on detailed award design

Issued August 13, 2008

Executive Summary

1 BT welcomes Ofcom’s consultation document on the DDR interleaved spectrum awards. We are generally supportive of the approach that Ofcom is taking to the DDR project as a whole and recognise that Ofcom has to balance some difficult technical, administrative and policy issues in formulating the best way forward on the awards.

2 We have examined Ofcom’s current proposals for the interleaved spectrum awards and have identified a number of areas of concern, including the fundamental issue as to whether there is any real prospect of using the interleaved spectrum for purposes other than DTT (and PMSE that is addressed by Ofcom separately).

3 BT would appreciate any further clarity that Ofcom can provide as to whether new innovative applications could be accommodated within the interleaved award, and if so how these could be facilitated beyond what is presently proposed.

4 We agree with Ofcom’s comments regarding the sharing constraints that may affect cognitive radio applications and would welcome any further information that Ofcom can make available.

5 BT looks forward to working with Ofcom and other stakeholders to shape the UK award plans through this present and further additional consultations. We would be pleased to meet with Ofcom to further discuss any points if Ofcom would consider that to be helpful.

Download full response as PDF document

BT welcomes comments on the content of this document. Comments should be addressed by email to lorraine.flawn@bt.com.