AEDETI recommends an interactive horizontal DTT model

19 February 2009

Jose L. Vazquez, CEO of mirada, an audiovisual content interaction specialist (with offices in London and Madrid) and one of the companies involved in drafting the recommendations comments...

"Given the recent introduction of new Audiovisual Law, the Spanish Association of Enterprises of Interactive Television, AEDETI, has forwarded its recommendation regarding the model of implementation of pay-digital terrestrial television services in Spain to the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade and various associations and agencies associated with the industry.

The aim is to use this opportunity for the joint development of interactivity as a model to grow an Information Society and e-Government and its implementation will define the possibilities for future digital interactive television in Spain.

The recommendation from the AEDETI is based on four elements:

1) The introduction of pay DTT in Spain must be achieved via a horizontal model. An approach which allows for the collaboration of several solutions. This approach has proven to be successful in Europe.

2) The horizontal pattern of pay DTT should include the deployment of interactive services in Spain. This would give the development of an Information Society in Spain a significant boost and contribute enormously to overcoming the digital gap.

3) DTT receivers should be certified by an official brand to ensure their robustness and to enable consumers to certify the quality of the purchased receivers.

4) The findings of the Ministry of tourism of trade technical forum of digital TV should form the basis of guidelines for technical equipment. These guidelines should be adhered to by technical departments to improve standards. This practice should be introduced immediately.

AEDETI is the Spanish Association of Interactive Television companies engaged in the promotion of interactive television in Spain. Its members include key players in the interactive TV sector across Spain.

The recommendations delivered to the Ministry of Industry are based on the members' extensive experience through the analysis of existing practices in countries like the United Kingdom, Italy and France.

As a result, the AEDETI is keen to share the findings of this analysis to support the development of the Information Society in Spain, with the sole purpose of increasing the quality and tangibility of digital TV services for all consumers and contribute to creating a dynamic network around this ever evolving market.