‘Making Use of Europe’s Digital Dividend now to Counter the Economic Downturn’. Statement by EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding following a Meeting with Dániel Pataki, Chairman of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group

Following the strategic meeting with Dániel Pataki, Head of the Hungarian Regulatory Authority and Chairman of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) – a high-level advisory group on radio spectrum set up by the Commission in 2002 – Commissioner Reding stressed this morning the importance of the 'digital dividend' for stimulating growth and competition on Europe's telecoms markets. The digital dividend is the additional spectrum that will become available for new wireless and TV services as a result of the switchover from analogue to digital TV, which has started in the EU Member States and is expected to be completed by 2012. The Commission believes that the digital dividend gives a welcome boost, in particular for wireless internet broadband services, thereby supporting the EU's 'broadband for all' policy, especially in these times of economic downturn. After her meeting with Mr Pataki on 7 April, Commissioner Reding highlighted the pivotal role that national spectrum regulators in the RSPG will play over the coming months in turning the digital dividend into a practical reality for the benefit of Europe's economy and citizens.

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