Manufacturers Push For Digital

The digital services industry has added its voice to calls for the Government to strengthen the push towards digital take up, warning that Britain will fall behind the rest of Europe unless action is taken.

Malcolm Miller, CEO of Pace Technology, which makes set top boxes for the digital TV industry, said: “More action is needed to encourage consumers to switch to digital. If we are to take the lead the Government has to think about funding it. That could mean cheaper TV licences for digital TV or paying for digital adapters, in the end somebody’s going to have to foot the bill.”

A spokesperson for the company today added: “The UK is currently leading the world market as far as digital TV is concerned and if this is to continue the Government needs to set positive targets and maintain the momentum it has already gathered. The UK has the potential to be world’s centre of excellence if we continue to drive forward.”

The comments come in the wake of demands from the broadcasting industry to speed up the digital switch over. Chief executive of ITV Stewart Prebble recently accused the government of not doing enough to aid the switch (see Prebble Demands Government Commitment To Digital ).

Pace Micro: 01274 53200 www.pacemicro.co.uk

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