Senate reviews proposed law on Analogue Switch Off

A proposed law on analogue switch-off and the digital dividend is currently ready for review by the French Senate. If approved, it could come into force by January 2007.
According to the proposed law, analogue switch-off will begin on 31 March 2008 and end on 30 November 2011, proceeding on a region-by-region basis. The broadcast regulator, CSA, should complete the ASO plan by July 2007.
The proposed law calls for an extension to the planned 85% DTT population coverage and DTT license holders will be able to extend the duration of their license from 2015 to 2025 on condition that they extend their DTT coverage.
In addition, broadcasters on the terrestrial analogue platform (TF1, M6 and Canal+) may each receive an extra DTT license in December 2011 if they agree to end their analogue transmissions before their licenses lapse. They may also be able to extend their DTT licenses to 2022 should they agree to make their services available on free-to-view on satellite and participate in the work of a proposed working group on analogue switch-off.
Senate amendments to the law include the following:
– Provision for a large-scale information campaign on ASO,
– Financial support for low-income households towards the purchase of a DTT receiver,
– DTT population coverage of 95%
– Include Parliament as part of the decision-making body involved in the allocation of the “digital dividend”.
Source: Digitag from La Tribune
Item added: 21st November 2006