Tuesday, October 4, 2007, the Decision on the general terms regarding the inter-operability of interactive digital TV services, as well as of the consumers’ digital TV equipment has been approved in Government session. This decision provides for the TV receivers on the market – for sale or rental – to be endowed with an external interface connector, standardized at a European level, which should enable certain functions, so that to ensure the receiving of digital signals.
Thus, an analogue TV receiver should have at least one external interface connector that allows for the simple connection of peripherals, especially of digital receivers. Moreover, digital TV receivers should be able to relay all the components of a digital TV signal, including information on interactive services and on restricted access services. The inter-operability of these services will enable the decoding of TV signals transmitted according to the European encoding algorithm.
Most of the equipments commercialised in Romania in the last years have at least external audio-video interface connectors (SCART or RCA), thus smoothing the transition to the digital TV system to be completed by 2012.
Pursuant to this regulation, the providers of interactive digital TV services will be encouraged to use open interfaces for programming their applications, thus enhancing a flexible information flow and communication at all levels. The providers of digital TV equipments, the critical pawns for the implementation of the Government Decision, will have to ensure the conformity of such equipments with an open programming interface. The regulation will promote a free flow of information, media pluralism and cultural diversity, as well as a more efficient deployment of the spectrum.
The Government Decision enters into force within 3 months from its publication in the Official Journal. ANRCTI shall sanction the TV equipment providers in breach of this decision by a fine ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 RON.
This normative act transposes certain provisions of the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council 2002/22/EC on universal service and users’ rights relating to electronic communications networks and services (Universal Service Directive) and of the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council 2002/21/CE on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services (Framework Directive).