UK - Freeview to be nudged down to clear 5G bands in 2018

Capt'n Midnight

No idea how this will affect those up north

also more bandwidth down here may be sold off if it's successful elsewhere ?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/19/freeview_bump_5g/

The 600Mhz band is empty 'cos when the UK went digital it contracted the frequencies being used in both directions. That left a gap at the top - the 800MHz band to be auctioned off next year - and at the bottom - the 600MHz band no one wants. So unloved is 600MHz that in August Ofcom suggested shuffling Freeview down to release more space at the top for LTE services.

This would open up the 700MHz band, which is being used for 4G in the USA, notably supported by the New iPad, but is also being deployed in Africa and looks likely to spread elsewhere. But clearing it will mean retuning all the Freeview boxes, again, and replacing some roof-top aerials as the propagation characteristics change.

winston_1

More hacks publishing rubbish. No decisions have been made on the 700MHz band. Some African countries have suggested using it for 5G but no decisions have been made.
It is true the so called 600MHz band (so called as ch31 to 37 are actually mostly 500MHz) is now clear but not true to say no one wants it, lets say no ones been offered it. It was actually being saved for local TV.