ITC Attempts To Smooth Set-Top Box Dispute

The Independent Television Commission (ITC) has decided to hold a meeting with BSkyB and British Digital Broadcasting (BDB) following their dispute over digital set-top box technology.

Last week Sky issued a writ claiming that BDB had broken an agreement between the two companies by choosing decoder technology which is incompatible with Sky’s services; BDB denied that this was the case (subscribers see Sky And BDB Attempt To Settle Set-Top Box Dispute). The two companies subsequently held a meeting to attempt to reach an agreement on the matter.

Hoping to find a solution, the ITC has arranged to meet with the broadcasters; the Commission’s prime concern is to smooth the path for the introduction of digital television.

The meeting is expected to be held in the next couple of weeks. The ITC, although it cannot enforce any action, will offer its opinion on the dispute and its resolution.

Independent Television Commission: 0171 306 7743 British Digital Broadcasting: 0171 819 8000 BSkyB: 0171 705 3000