ComCom awards licence for mobile TV to Swisscom Broadcast

BERNE — Within the framework of a competition based on criteria, the Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) is awarding the national licence for DVB-H to Swisscom Broadcast AG. The licensee is to provide the first mobile phone TV broadcasts during the 2008 European Football Championship, in the host cities of Basle, Berne, Zurich and Geneva, and launch this new TV platform as soon as possible.

Two companies, Mobile TV Schweiz AG and Swisscom Broadcast AG, had submitted bids for the national mobile TV licence which had been put out to tender. The two bids were subjected to a thorough examination within the framework of a competition based on criteria. ComCom concluded that both bids were very good. However, Swisscom Broadcast submitted the better bid and is therefore being awarded the licence. In view of its existing sites and its experience of TV broadcasting in Switzerland, Swisscom Broadcast is better able to guarantee a fast rollout of this new technology. The aim is to be able to receive TV transmissions on mobiles during EURO 08.

Non-discriminatory access to the platform for mobile TV

However, the obligation for Swisscom Broadcast to provide all TV broadcasters and telecommunication service providers with equal access to this broadcasting platform under equitable and non-discriminatory conditions (in accordance with article 51 of the Law on Radio and Television) is of great importance to ComCom. These obligations are laid down in the licence. This guarantees that all mobile service providers and TV broadcasters will be able to benefit equally from this new platform.

Award by means of a criteria-based competition

The licensee was be selected by means of a competition based on criteria. The licence was therefore awarded to the candidate submitting the best application. Analysis of the individual bids was based on criteria published in the invitation to tender.

In a detailed evaluation procedure, the quality of the two bids was assessed by applying the criteria defined in the invitation to tender. Swisscom Broadcast achieved higher marks for the following criteria: “Coverage/Rollout”, “Concept/Implementation”, “Coherence and Credibility of the Bid” and “Business and Service Plan”. Mobile TV Schweiz did better on the criterion of “Contribution to Media Diversity”. Swisscom Broadband therefore submitted the better bid.

The licence

The licence is being awarded for a ten-year term and includes 12 coverage areas which in total cover the whole of Switzerland. In each coverage area, the licensee receives an 8 MHz broadcast channel to transmit TV programme services.
The licence does not include any guidelines concerning the standard to be applied. However, since the DVB-H standard allows the most efficient use of the available frequencies, ComCom is recommending the use of DVB-H – as is the EU. As stated in their candidature, Swisscom Broadcast will use this standard.

The licence also includes the following obligations:

• By the end of May 2008, Swisscom Broadcast must achieve the 44% population coverage specified in the bid and approximately 60% by the end of 2012.
• At least 70% of the transmission capacity must be used for the transmission of radio and television programme services.
• With regard to network construction, the regulations concerning area planning and protection of the environment and landscape, as well as the Decree on protection from non-ionising radiation must be complied with. On the basis of the Swisscom Broadcast bid, it is expected that for the most part existing antenna sites will be used.

A new legal basis

In accordance with the new statutory regulations governing radiocommunications and telecommunications, which entered into force on 1 April 2007, ComCom is now also awarding licences for radiofrequency broadcasting. However, it is the responsibility of DETEC to determine the usage modalities for specific radio frequencies for the transmission of radio and TV programme services.

In May 2007, DETEC decided to approve a national coverage for mobile TV and informed ComCom that it can invite tenders for the corresponding radiocommunication licence. When it did so, the Department specified that at least 70% of the transmission capacity must be used for the transmission of radio and television programme services. In addition, it declined to make provision for programmes with conditional access.