Telecom operator objects to costs of interference to DTT

French operator Bouygues Telecom has asked the country’s highest administrative court, the Council of State, to rule on a piece of legislation requiring mobile operators to bear the costs of resolving any interference from the 4G bands (digital dividend 800MHz channels) on digital terrestrial broadcasting. The clause was included in a piece of legislation to transpose the EU telecom package. However, Bouygues estimates the cost could be as much as €500 million to €1.7 billion, with interference affecting up to 20% of households.
Bouygues said that operators will be unable to participate in the 4G auction due to uncertainty about the possible costs associated with winning frequency rights. The Ministry of Industry downplayed the risk, saying other countries already using the bands have found interference to be limited and the costs much lower for resolving the issue. In addition, the government has priced the one lot of spectrum posing the greatest risk at a lower price. The Council of State is expected to rule by the 15th July, while the first applications to participate in the auction are due by mid-September.
Source: Telecompaper
Item added: 4th July 2011