Today in Brussels the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted an own initiative report on reaping the full benefits of the digital dividend (spectrum) in Europe.

The switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial television by the end of 2012 will free up an unprecedented amount of spectrum in Europe as a result of the superior transmission efficiency of digital technology.

Patrizia TOIA MEP (IT, Partito democratico) Parliament's rapporteur in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, stressed:

The full potential of the digital dividend can only be realized with the support and active cooperation of Member States and all stakeholders.   

Patrizia TOIA

"The "digital dividend" should potentially create a "win/win" situation for all interests. It will bring more benefits for EU citizens and give impetus to the whole of the wireless communications industry as well broadcasting industry. The full potential of the digital dividend can only be realized with the support and active cooperation of Member States and all stakeholders. The flexibility of the spectrum and the transparency of the allocation process are highly important".   

The report emphasises that a potential way in which the digital dividend can help to achieve the Lisbon goals is by increasing the availability of broadband access services to citizens and economic players throughout the EU, addressing the digital divide by providing benefits for unprivileged, remote or rural areas (such as e-government, e-health and e-education) and ensuring universal coverage in the 27 Member States.

The report stresses that the digital dividend is also an important instrument in audiovisual and media policies which could effectively promote and protect freedom of expression and cultural and media pluralism.

The report is scheduled for adoption by Parliament's plenary session in its September session in Strasbourg.