ITC Says Consumers Will Set The Pace Of Digital Convergence

The ITC has said that the debate over technological standards for accessing digital TV services must be driven by what consumers want rather than what technology can deliver. The comments were made in reply to the EU Green Paper on the Convergence of Telecommunications, Media and Information Technology. The Commission also doubts whether a Euro-level regulator is needed to oversee changes in the market.

Commenting further, the ITC says that consumers will only seize the opportunities offered by new technology when it is “affordable, user-friendly and opens up new opportunities for them.” It also says that it will be more likely that the internet and interactive services will be accessed through TV sets than the other way round.

The ITC recently published a consultation document on how to ensure open access to digital television services (see ITC Consults On Digital TV Access).

…The ITC has also said that it currently has three major audience research projects underway: the first will investigate why cable and satellite subscribers appear to be less likely to complain about channel content than viewers of terrestrial only services; the second will look at viewers’ understanding of energy claims in food and drink advertising; and the third will investigate viewers’ attitudes towards film, as compared with drama, on television in particular with regards to strong material (sex and nudity, language and violence).

ITC: 0171 255 3000