The broadcasting revolution is well-underway, and the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting is not only creating opportunities for the provision of ICT applications and multimedia services but is also contributing to the efficient use of spectrum through the digital dividend and the release of spectrum for other uses such as wireless broadband communications.

The broadcasting industry and the national regulators face both opportunities and challenges in dealing with the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. The transition requires decisions to be made on a large number of political, social, economic and technological issues. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a well-defined roadmap covering national strategies and key decisions.

This report contains guidelines on migration from analogue television to digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB) and introduction of mobile television broadcasting (MTV). The guidelines identify the policy, economic and technology choices to be made and their potential impact on the transition to DTTB and introduction of MTV. Included in the guidelines are the elements related to the choices and information regarding the cost benefit analysis of policy decisions and best practices.

This part of the Guidelines will provide an overview of the key issues and choices the regulator faces when either formulating digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB), mobile television (MTV) or analogue switch-off (ASO) policy objectives. In striving for a rapid service up-take and development of the DTTB and MTV markets, the regulator will implement such policies by issuing information, funds, rights, licences and permits to (qualified) market parties in compliance with the relevant legislation.

This part of the Guidelines will provide an overview of the key business issues and choices digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB) and mobile television (MTV) service providers/Broadcast network operators face when planning the commercial launch of these services. It includes a set of business activities and tools for defining the DTTB/MTV service proposition and associated business case and plan, taking into account identified demand drivers, service barriers, financial feasibility and more specifically receiver availability and customer support issues.

The Final Acts of RRC-06 contain the Regional Agreement GE06, adopted by RRC-06, which governs the use of frequencies by the broadcasting service and other primary terrestrial services in the frequency bands 174-230 MHz and 470-862 MHz. They also contain frequency assignment and frequency allotment plans for the digital broadcasting service (television and sound), the analogue television plan applicable in the transition period, the coordinated list of assignments to other terrestrial primary services in these bands, and the Resolutions adopted by RRC-06.