§ Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards conditional access systems for digital broadcasting. [16372]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe Government published proposals for the regulation of conditional access systems for digital television on 15 January 1996. The Government consider it necessary to set out a clear regulatory framework for the new markets in digital television. Our proposals also meet our obligations under the recent television standards directive.
In contrast with current analogue broadcasts, all digital broadcasts—terrestrial, satellite and cable—will require access to the viewer's television via decoding receiver "set-top box". These receivers or boxes will also implement any conditional access service, which ensures that only viewers having a valid contract with a broadcaster or multiplexor can receive and view their programmes. As such these conditional access points will be a gateway between all viewers and all broadcasters for every delivery mechanism. Regulation is designed to prevent any abuse of this "gatekeeping" role and to discourage anti-competitive behaviour. It is also important that those who will be investing in the new markets have a clear understanding of the regulatory framework at the outset, so that they can invest with confidence in these long-term ventures.
Our proposals are designed to stimulate early development of digital television in the UK. They are based on the existing framework for telecommunications licensing. Licences would be issued by the DTI and enforced by the Office of Telecommunications, in close co-operation with the Independent Television Commission. Copies of our proposals have been placed in the Libraries of the House.