Telecommunications regulation: Creating order & opportunity in UK digital terrestrial television Whitespace

This paper considers how the UK Regulator, in collaboration with stakeholders, is attempting to create a new market opportunity for advanced networked services using interleaved Digital Terrestrial Television (DTTV) Whitespace, that is, valuable spectrum released and reorganised post the digital switchover. It discusses inter alia a key issue, which is how the Regulator will balance the technical requirements needed to create a commercially viable network, against his competing obligation under the Communications Act 2003 to maintain order and avoid interference to DTTV and Programme Making & Special Event (PMSE) users. Particular consideration is given to the outcome of field trials and areas of forward risk for the Regulator.