The European Commission has given its backing to support from the French authorities to households affected the reallocation of the 700MHz frequency band.
It says the scheme furthers the EU Digital Single Market objectives without unduly distorting competition. Margrethe Vestager, Commissioner in charge of competition policy, said: ”This decision shows how Member States can support the freeing-up of much needed spectrum for wireless services in line with EU state aid rules. The French aid scheme will ensure that affected households can continue watching free-to-air TV without extra costs through the technology they choose.”
Yesterday, France completed the move to DVB-T2/MPEG-4 transmissions.France proposed a €56.9 million package designed to compensate households in areas most affected by the move. It provides for aid to buy the necessary equipment, for technical assistance and for maintaining reception of free-to-air TV channels after the reallocation of frequencies.
France proposed a €56.9 million package designed to compensate households in areas most affected by the move. It provides for aid to buy the necessary equipment, for technical assistance and for maintaining reception of free-to-air TV channels after the reallocation of frequencies.
The Commission assessed the aid scheme under Articles 107(2)(a) and 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), that allow Member States to support certain disadvantaged consumers or certain economic activities, respectively, under specific conditions.
There’s continued pressure on TV frequencies brought about by ever increasing demands from the telecommunications sector for capacity for mobile broadband.
