Evaluating public policy options for implementing digital terrestrial television: the challenges of transition

The authors elaborate some public policy issues surrounding the widespread adoption of digital communication technology, in particular digital terrestrial television. First, they identify the important economic benefits of digitisation. These benefits, alongside the recognition that market forces cannot bring about the digital revolution unassisted, ultimately justify the need for governmental intervention. Secondly, they set out the main policy instruments that mediate the transition paths from analogue to digital. The policies are evaluated based upon two main criteria: the speed of transition and the universal service obligation (USO). Critical questions are raised about the allocation of spectrum and the closure of analogue. Finally they show the need to redefine the USO. Most of the examples are inevitably conditioned by the British experience. However, many of the arguments will apply to most other European countries and possibly beyond