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Policy and regulations
Introduction
"Next to the implementation of research programs , our unit also contributes to policy and regulation development in Networked Media & Audio-Visual (AV) systems, through collaboration with the EC services in charge of the policy and regulatory framework. The right regulatory environment aims at encouraging competition, improving the functioning of the internal market and guaranteeing basic user interests that would not be guaranteed by market forces. Thereby ensuring fair competition and eliminating obstacles to the adoption of ICT. Co-ordination and interaction of the EU funded R&D projects with related aspects such as policy, regulation, spectrum, and standardisation extends the impact of the research work/investment.
Below you’ll find communications and reports of the European Commission in topics relating to the area of Networked Media and AV Systems, as well as working papers produced by the European Commission staff and public consultations carried out in order to collect feedback from all sector actors, which support the EC communications. In the context of the above, these documents are the result of the co-operation between the European Commission staff of the research programs and the services in charge of the policy & regulatory framework. Please use the links above or in the toolbar in order to obtain further information."
EC Communications and Reports
2005
29 September 2005: - Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on "EU spectrum policy priorities for the digital switchover in the context of the upcoming ITU Regional Radiocommunication Conference 2006 (RRC-06)".
14 September 2005: Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on "A Market-based approach to spectrum management in the European Union".
6 September 2005: Communication from the Commission to the Council and European Parliament on "A forward-looking radio spectrum policy for the European Union: Second Annual Report."
24 May 2005: The Commission has adopted a Communication on Accelerating the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. The Commission expects most broadcasting in the EU to be digital by 2010 and proposes a deadline of early 2012 for phasing out traditional analogue terrestrial broadcasting.
Related backround memo: Switchover to Digital Television by 2012: Situation in the 25 EU Member States
31 July 2004: Commission Communication on the Interoperability of interactive digital TV services. The Communication sets out the Commission's position on the issue as required under Art. 18 of Directive 2002/21/EC
Extended Impact Assessment (EIA) accompanying the Communication on Interoperability of interactive digital TV services (COM-2004-541 - SEC-2004-1028).
30 June 2004: The Commission has adopted a communication on Mobile broadband services. The commission tables a blueprint for anytime, anywhere access, to boost growth in business and public services.
9 July 2003: Commission Communication responding to the requests from the Barcelona and Seville European Councils to produce a report on "the remaining barriers to the achievement of widespread access to new services and applications of the information society through open platforms in digital television and 3G mobile communications"
17 September 2003: Commission Communication on the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting (from digital 'switchover' to analogue 'switch-off')
EC Staff Working papers
18 March 2004: Commission Staff Working paper on the interoperability of digital interactive television services (COM-2004-541 - SEC-2004-346).
14 January 2004: Commission Staff Working paper on the contribution of wide-screen and high definition to the global roll-out of digital TV
17 September 2003: Commission Staff Working paper on the extended impact assessment of the Switchover Communication (SEC-2003-992 - COM-2003-541)
14 June 2002: WORKING DOCUMENT on the 2003 regulatory framework for electronic communications - Implications for broadcasting
Public Consultations
September 2005: Public consultation on the revision of the "Television Without Frontiers (TWF)" Directive. All interested parties were invited to participate in the consultation 2005 by transmitting their written observations by 5 September 2005.
September 2005: The Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) has decided to issue a document for public comment on Wireless Access Platforms for Electronic Communications Services (WAPECS). Comments received, from both Member States and other interested parties, will be considered in developing an RSPG Opinion on WAPECS aiming at developing a draft Opinion for consideration by the RSPG at its next meeting in late November 2005. The deadline for responses is the 15 September 2005
April 2005: Public consultation on future R&D challenges in the Networked Audio-Visual Systems (NAVS) area to be addresses at EU level.
20 April 2004: Public consultation and hearing on the interoperability of digital interactive TV services (SEC-2004-1028 - More info ).
12/2002-2/2003: Public consultation and hearing on the report on remaining barriers to the achievement of widespread access to new services and applications of the Information Society through open platforms in digital television and 3G mobile communications (COM-2003-410 - More info )
Public consultation on the study on Digital Switchover in Broadcasting (SEC-2003-992 - More info )