Press Release: How to transform the ‘digital dividend’ into consumer benefits and up to €50 billion in economic growth for Europe?

The change from analogue to digital TV in Europe will free up radio frequencies for use by new services. The EU is well placed to benefit from this 'digital dividend': Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium (Flanders) and major areas in Austria have already switched off analogue terrestrial TV transmissions, and other EU countries will follow by 2012. On 12 June, the USA also switched to digital TV transmissions. Unleashing the full potential of the switchover is on top of the EU's telecoms policy agenda as the newly available radio spectrum can improve the way we communicate and access audiovisual content. Used efficiently, it will also bring economies of scale and improve the EU’s competitiveness by increasing innovation in equipment and wireless services, as well as by facilitating access to mobile broadband. On 10 July, 2009, the Commission launched a consultation to determine how to work together at EU level to get the most from this unique opportunity. The consultation will run until 4 September 2009.