(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, 26 APRIL - The European Commission decided
to open an investigation on the Spanish plan of compensation for
digital terrestrial TV broadcasters. Indeed, broadcasting
services need to be relocated, to free band space for the
provision of enhanced electronic communication services. To
ensure a continuity of broadcasting services, Spain requires
broadcasters to send simultaneously on both frequencies for a
transitional period of 6 months-two years, while users adapt
their reception infrastructure. This double service triggers
extra costs for the broadcasters concerned, which is compensated
by the government. Brussels questions the real need for this
measure and has concerns that the measure could favour
terrestrial broadcasting to the detriment of other technologies,
such as satellite transmission. " The liberation of the digital
dividend", EU Commissioner for competition Joaquin Almunia
stated, "creates tremendous opportunities for a better use of
spectrum, but we have to make sure that those opportunities are
available fairly in compliance with EU State aid rules."
(ANSAmed)
