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
