Broadcasters opposed the allocation of frequencies to operators in the “golden band”
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The Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network (RTRS) is against allocating frequencies to telecom operators in the 3.4-3.8 GHz range, which is recognized worldwide as promising for 5G, since now these frequencies are partially used to deliver a TV signal via satellite channels. If the frequencies are handed over to the operators, this will complicate the broadcasting of the first and second TV multiplexes, RTRS fears. Operators insist that frequency sharing is possible.
“Kommersant” got acquainted with the report of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise RTRS on the results of the enterprise’s activities for 2022, published on the website of the Ministry of Digital Development at the end of June. It refers to “problems with the use of the radio frequency spectrum”: “Taking into account the built and commissioned RTRS facilities, and also taking into account the potential possibility of creating additional broadcast multiplexes, terrestrial digital broadcasting will require frequencies in the range of 470-790 MHz, which are claimed by telecom operators for the development of the 5G standard.
In addition, it follows from the document that frequencies of 3.4-4.2 GHz are used to deliver a signal over satellite lines, some of which also intersect with a range that can be used for 5G (community operators claim a range of 3.4-3. 8 GHz): “Its withdrawal may lead to difficulty in the operation of digital TV of the first and second multiplex.” RTRS did not answer “Kommersant”.
RTRS subordinated to the Ministry of Digital Development, has a monopoly on terrestrial broadcasting of terrestrial television and distributes public digital TV channels of the first and second multiplexes. Back in 2018, the authorities planned to launch a third multiplex, but it never worked. The RTRS towers also house base stations of the LTE standard of the Tele2 operator (owned by Rostelecom) as part of a project to provide communications to small and remote settlements. To this end, Rostelecom has been receiving state funding since 2019 to connect RTRS towers via fiber-optic communication lines.
It follows from the report that, despite the development of streaming services, traditional linear television continues to play a significant role in a number of thematic segments (broadcasting of sports competitions and major events, news and socio-political programs), which requires the maintenance and development of infrastructure. At the end of 2022, 5051 objects were used for terrestrial digital broadcasting.
Formally, the spectrum of 720-750 MHz, 761-791 MHz has already been allocated to mobile operators. In 2011, the State Committee for Radio Frequencies allocated the 800 MHz band (790-862 MHz) for the development of communications and instructed Roskomnadzor to organize a competition for LTE licenses. It took place in 2012, won by Rostelecom (later transferred the cellular assets of Tele2), MTS, MegaFon and VimpelCom. Under the terms of the competition, they were allocated 720-750 MHz, 761-791 MHz and 2.5-2.7 GHz. At the same time, the SCRF annually extends licenses for 700 MHz to analogue broadcasters.
Rostelecom believes that RTRS’ fears are unfounded: “The transition to digital broadcasting has freed up a significant amount of frequencies (a digital dividend), which RTRS has been in no hurry to give to operators for several years now. Although there are solutions that can ensure the reliability of broadcasting without using these ranges.” 5G networks are critical for the further digital transformation of the economy, the company stressed. MTS added that they are interested in obtaining an additional frequency resource for 4G and 5G. MegaFon assured: “There is an understanding that with constructive interaction, the sharing of ranges is possible.”
The 3.4-3.8 GHz band is the most widely used among 5G operators, its inaccessibility for Russian companies can negatively affect costs, since “deploying networks at higher frequencies is expensive,” notes Alexey Boyko, author of the profile Telegram channel abloud62 . A Kommersant source on the market notes that part of the 3.4-3.8 GHz spectrum is now occupied by the FSO government special communications services: “If they are also partially used by broadcasters to deliver a signal via satellite, this means that in the “golden band” both security and civilian users.”
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