Explanation given by BBC technologist:
Quote:
OFCOM has renewed Licences for Muxes PSB 2 and COM 1,2 and 3 to 31 December 2034 call it 2035
which is when Contracts with Arqiva end
The documents are the "Notices of Renewal" at https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-an...l-tv/multiplex
The Licenses can be revoked for a number of reasons which includes
Section 16(16A) of the 1996 Act
(7) With the consent of the Secretary of State, Ofcom may revoke the Licence for reasons related
to the management of the radio spectrum.
This is qualified
(10) Where Ofcom make the decision to revoke the Licence they shall specify a date, not earlier
than 31 December 2030 or five years after the date on which the notice is given (whichever
is the later), on which the revocation takes effect.
This is at page 26 of any of the above Licenses (full version)
OFCOM have indicated that they are unlikely to do this for 2030
and I'm sure that if it was substantially before 2035 there would be many representations made ....
The BBC Muxs end on two dates
for PSB 1 /BBC A on 31 December 2027 - which is when the BBC ceases to exist in Law
as you cannot have a license owned by something/ one that does not exist!!
(this is a point Dr Shah makes - the BBC charter is about the only one that does not exist in perpetuity)
For PSB B which is operated by BBC FTV Ltd expires on 16 November 2026 "12 years from 16 November 2012"
so application needs to be made by then if it is to be continued
Bearing in mind that it carries non BBC PSB channels in HD and there are contracts with Arqiva running to 2035 it would get very interesting if it was not renewed.....
or PSB1 conditions and transmission mode changed ..... and which services are carried on it on spectrum gifted to the BBC.
So it looks likley that all Six muxes will exist to at least 2030 and probably most of them beyond that to 2035
As it requires the band to be cleared of DVB emission from existing sites to make it available for Mobile telco use ....
by which time it is very likely that there will be a demand by the mobiles for the spectrum and little TV wanting to be emitted
but DTT may exist but not DVB - but there are commercial and regulatory issues!!
|