Development of digital television in the EU
A report on the development of digital television in the European Union has been published by the Information Society Directorate-General, in order to review the Community directive on the use of transmission standards. The first European commercial digital television service was launched in France in April 1996, a few months after the adoption of a directive on the use of standards for the transmission of television signals. Other digital services were made available to the customer shortly after this date throughout Europe. The directive aimed to establish a regulatory regime adapted to the start-up phase of new digital TV services while providing adequate continuity with earlier regulation for TV services based on analogue technology. The intention was to provide a measured balance between encouraging investment during the start up phase and promoting competition, while protecting the consumer's interest. To satisfy the reporting requirements of the directive, the Commission has compiled this report entitled 'the development of digital television in the European Union'.