Commission wants 2012 digital switch-over deadline

The European Commission today called for member states to set a 2012 deadline to make the switch to digital television broadcasts from analogue services.

The Commission urged all 25 EU countries to “accelerate the switch-over”, arguing digital technology provided consumers with better quality television as well as better media and telecommunications capabilities over TV, mobile phones or via the internet.

“The sooner we complete switch-over, the sooner our citizens and businesses will benefit,” said Viviane Reding, EU commissioner in charge of media and technology issues.

As part of the switch to digital, some consumers will have to buy a digital receiver so their older TV sets can handle the new signal. Newer television sets already have receivers built in, EU officials said.

The Commission has no authority to set a legal deadline for the switch-over but it said it was co-ordinating the move. EU spokesman Martin Selmayr told reporters 13 member states have posted deadlines for the move to digital.

Finland and Italy aim to switch over in 2007, while Germany, Austria and Spain are among several countries planning to change around 2010. Britain and Hungary have set a 2012 target.

The Commission said Britain was the most advanced in switching to digital TV, where digital broadcasting transmissions have already achieved a 57% market share.

The Commission said market demand for digital TV is generating sales of 20 million digital TV receivers a year.

Selmayr said the EU is looking into allowing government subsidies to consumers “for a transitional period” for the purchase of the new receivers.

The Commission said digital provides numerous technological benefits for communications and media, freeing up more broadcast frequencies for new technologies to deliver more services to consumers.

Digital TV broadcasting uses a third to a half as much frequency as analogue broadcasting.