| By: |
Börnsen, Arne (AB Consulting);
Braulke, Tim (Infront Consulting & Mgt., Hamburg);
Kruse, Jörn (Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg);
Latzer, Michael (University of Zurich) |
| Abstract: |
The digital dividend is the amount of spectrum that is freed up by the switch
over from analogue TV to digital terrestrial TV in the UHF band. Drawing from
a research project (Braulke et al. 2010) commissioned by the Austrian
regulator RTR, this article prioritizes, analyses and evaluates the options of
use of the 790 – 862 MHz frequency band - the so-called “upper digital
dividend” in Austria. The underlying economic considerations are based on an
analysis of the incremental value. The two main options are the use of the
spectrum for digital television (DVB-T) and the use for mobile broadband
(MBB). The economic analysis clearly shows that the use of the upper digital
dividend for MBB would generate the highest economic value. The Austrian
government has, based on this analysis, decided to assign the upper digital
dividend for MBB use from 2012 onwards. An auction of the spectrum will take
place in 2011. |
| Keywords: |
Digital dividend; spectrum policy; Austria; digital TV; mobile broadband |
| JEL: |
L82 L96 L98 |
| Date: |
2011–01–18 |
| URL: |
http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:vhsuwp:2011_108&r=ict |