Finland will switch over to
digital television in 2007
A parliamentary working group proposes
that all television broadcasting in Finland be digital as of 31 August 2007.
The starting point of the proposal is
that all Finns will have an opportunity to access digital television services at
reasonable cost and without difficulty in good time before the switching. The working
group expressed a wish that the construction of the digital distribution network be
accelerated so that the entire country would be covered by the autumn of 2005.
In 1999, Government proposed the year
2006 for the switching-over time. The working group is of the opinion that a little longer
period is necessary.
It emphasises that it is expensive to use
overlapping transmission technologies. The money is more wisely spent increasing and
diversifying the range of services. This would also reduce the pressure to raise the
television fee.
According to the working group, special
attention must be paid during the switching-over period to user-friendly services and
adequate information.
The group regards it very important that
in the beginning of 2004 the Finnish Government will make a clear and final decision about
the switching-over time. It also hopes that the Government would grant new digital
licences.
Ms Leena Luhtanen, Minister of Transport
and Communications of Finland, considers the working group's proposal good. She presumes
that the Government will make a resolution on the switching-over time in February 2004.
For more information, please contact:
Ms Liisa Ero, Deputy Director-General of Communications Department,
tel. +358 9 160 28461
Mr Ismo Kosonen, Director of Media Policy Unit, tel. +358 9 160 28462
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