Economic Impact

Economic Impact of the Digital Dividend

The core economic benefit of an allocation of the Digital Dividend to mobile has been the subject of intense study over the past five years. Government research has been joined by independent analysis and industry reports. In this section, we outline some of the research that has been carried out by analysts, demonstrating the massive financial benefit to countries which allocate the Digital Dividend to mobile.

Boston Consulting Group: Socio-economic impact of allocating 700MHz band to mobile in Asia Pacific

Key findings: Allocation of the 700MHz band to mobile in Asia Pacific will generate US$729bn to the GDP of Asia Pacific nations by 2020. This is 10 times the value that would be added by leaving the band in the hands of the broadcast community.

Analysys Mason: Exploiting the Digital Dividend, a European approach

Key findings: Adoption of the sub-band 790–862MHz across all European Union member states could add €44bn in net present value over 15 years.

Europe Economics: The Digital Dividend in Serbia

Key findings: €908m in extra economic growth if the Digital Dividend is allocated to mobile in Serbia. This will also have a strong effect on boosting employment.

Analysys Mason: Benefits of the Digital Dividend spectrum in Russia

Key findings: €19bn additional economic growth can be gained by migrating ARNS from the Digital Dividend band and allocating the spectrum to mobile.

Aegis: Review of Digital Dividend options in Greece

Key findings: Technical paper detailing how significant amounts of spectrum can be freed up in Greece after ASO while still retaining six multiplexes for DTT.

Analysys Mason: Assessment of economic impact of wireless broadband in South Africa

Key findings: If spectrum allocations of the Digital Dividend and 2.5GHz bands are made in a timely manner, broadband could contribute to 1.8% of South African GDP by 2015.

Analysys Mason: Assessment of economic impact of wireless broadband in Nigeria

Key findings: With timely allocation of Digital Dividend spectrum and other policy actions, wireless broadband can contribute 1.22% to Nigerian GDP by 2015.