Ofcom has today published its statement on the Digitail Dividend
Review. As we feared, they have outlined a pure market auction approach
to the release of all spectrum freed by DSO with the exception of PMSE
(programme making and special events) spectrum, which will be allocated
via a 'beauty contest'.

Ofcom has also outlined plans for a second consultation phase, which
will run from Spring to Summer 2008. Public Voice will lobby and
influence both Government and Ofcom during this time in an attempt to
modify the auction process, so that civil society groups may at least
be given some chance of participating in the auction process.

Full details of Ofcom's annoucement can be found here:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ddr/

Ofcom have this week announced a revised timetable for DDR. The full
document, which outlines the responses received and the additional
work proposed, can be found here:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ddr/condocsummary/


A second phase of market research is now underway, and a second
consultation will begin in June to explore PMSE issues more fully.
From our perspective, Ofcom's engagement with our issues is carefully
worded as follows:


• We will conduct further analysis of a wide range of issues
including points raised about public value, the timing of the award,
competition issues and further economic and technical modelling.


• We are also undertaking a significant amount of technical work to
ensure that new uses of the Digital Dividend comply with the UK's
international obligations and do not interfere with existing services
or each other.


This is, of course, excellent news for those of us who took the time
to reply to the consultation earlier this year, and an indication
that our efforts have had an impact. However, it does not amount to a
firm promise, so it's vital that we keep the pressure up.

Public Voice have petitioned the Prime Minister to ensure that spectrum
freed for use following digital switchover is available for citizen and
community uses, by rejecting the notion that all of it is sold off to
the highest bidder.

You can sign it online here:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/CitizensSpectrum/

The deadline for signing is March 19th.

Our member group, the CMA, are very kindly hosting a brief summary
of conference outcomes, together with a copy of the information for
delegates and a selection of presentations. You can view these at
www.commedia.org.uk/DDRconference (please follow the Conference
Presentations link for further commentary).

Many of you have reported feeling shaken and alarmed towards the end
of the conference, particularly after the speeches and Q&A sessions
with Philip Rutnam of Ofcom and Keith Smith of the DCMS.

I would remind you that if there is anything at all you disagree
with, you absolutely must reply to the consultation before March
20th (now just 27 working days away). The decision following the
consultation period will be swift and final, and you will not get
another chance to make your voices heard.

Copies of the DDR document, together with full details of how to
reply, are available from
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/ddr/

Further information on Public Voice's involvement with the
consultation can be found at www.public-voice.org.uk.

TITLE:-

A voice for all?

What does the Digital Dividend Review on the Future of UK
Communications mean for you?


DATE: Monday, 5th February 2007; 1:30pm - 5:00pm

LOCATION: Park Crescent Conference Centre, 229 Great Portland
Street, LONDON (please go to www.mediatrust.org and click on "event
booking" to book your place, or email rfulton@...).

Co-chairs: Caroline Diehl (Media Trust), Jaqui Devereux (Community
Media Association).


RUNNING ORDER:

1:30pm - 2:00pm
REGISTRATION with tea, coffee, biscuits, juice etc.

2:00pm - 3:00pm
SESSION 1, Chaired by Caroline Diehl, Media Trust.

-Welcome and Introduction: Caroline Diehl, Media Trust.

-Citizen-centric broadcasting before and after DSO: Simon Crine,
Digital UK.

-PANEL: "Citizen-centric broadcasting in action." Contributors:- Nic
Millington, Rural Media; Brian Lamb, RNID; Eleanor Dobing, CSV.

3:00pm - 3:15pm
COFFEE BREAK

3:15pm - 4:15pm
SESSION 2, Chaired by Jaqui Devereux, CMA.

Four speeches with short Q&As from the following guests:
-Angela Sarkis CBE.
-Dave Rushton, Local TV.
-Don Redding, former co-ordinator for the Public Voice coalition.
-Keith Smith, DCMS.

4:15pm - 5:00pm
Keynote Speech: Philip Rutnam, Partner for Spectrum Policy, Ofcom.


For directions to the Park Crescent Conference Centre, please see:
http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/mapping/map.php?pc=W1W+5PN

Adolygiad Difidend Digidol (yn Gymraeg) / Digital Dividend Review (in
Welsh)

Adolygiad Difidend Digidol

Mae'r rheolydd cyfathrebu, Ofcom, wedi comisiynu clymblaid y sector
gwirfoddol, Public Voice, i gynorthwyo â'i hymgynghoriad cyhoeddus ar
ba wasanaethau cyfathrebu newydd a allai gael mynediad at y tonfeddi
yn y dyfodol, o ganlyniad i'r Adolygiad Difidend Digidol.

Yr Adolygiad Difidend Digidol yw'r prosiect a fydd yn archwilio
rhyddhau'r sbectrwm, y mae darlledwyr ar hyn o bryd yn ei ddefnyddio
ar gyfer Teledu analog, wrth i deledu fynd yn gyfan gwbl ddigidol
rhwng 2008 a 2012.

Pam fod hyn yn bwysig?
Ar hyn o bryd, nid oes cynlluniau pendant ar gyfer beth fydd yn
digwydd i'r sbectrwm analog yn y D.U., ond mae'r diddordeb gan
ddiwydiannau masnachol yn debyg o fod yn enfawr. Er mwyn gweithio yn
erbyn hyn, mae'n bwysig bod cymaint o gynrychiolwyr â phosibl o'r
sector gwirfoddol a chymdeithasau dinesig yn dod at ei gilydd i
gyflwyno'r achos dros ddarlledu dinesydd-ganolog, yn ychwanegol at y
darlledu ddefnyddiwr-ganolog hwn. Os na wnawn ni bledio ein hachos
yn awr, a gwneud hynny'n dda, yna fe allem golli'r sbectrwm hwn am
byth.

Beth allwch chi ei wneud?
Am ragor o wybodaeth, ac i weld ein taflen wybodaeth, gallwch ymweld
â'n gwefan www.public-voice.org.uk.

Byddem hefyd yn eich annog i ddod i'n cynhadledd ar gyfer grwpiau
gwirfoddol a chymdeithasau dinesig ddydd Llun y 5ed o Chwefror 2007
yn Llundain. Mae manylion llawn ar gael yn www.public-
voice.org.uk/conference.

On Tuesday 19th December, Ofcom released their proposed approach to
the award of digital dividend spectrum.

All consultation documents, including details of how to reply, can be
found at the link below. (NB: The executive summary - 2nd doc on the
list - is the best for those of you looking for a brief overview).

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/ddr/

Of particular interest for VCS groups are the following points:

*Ofcom has essentially outlined a market-led approach to the
allocation of spectrum (i.e. the majority of spectrum will be
auctioned off to the highest bidder).

*The bottom line for VCS groups is that under the current plans we
will have to compete with commercial bidders in the marketplace to
get our hands on any of this spectrum.

*Regulation will be kept to an absolute minimum, with the only major
declared regulation being a) To regulate the transition of services
and b) to prevent disruption to other services.

*Widespread availability of mobile broadband was considered to be of
broader value to society, whereas HDTV was not identified as being of
broader value to society - for now, anyway.

*Ofcom want to move away from the era when spectrum as "an instrument
of public policy."

*Ofcom will not pick preferred uses of spectrum.

*The consultation period has now begun and we have until 20th MARCH
2007 to reply to these proposals. It is vital that as many people
from the VCS do so.

*The final decision is expected in or around July 2007 with
allocation beginning as early as 2008.