DigiTAG to fight for terrestrial broadcasting

Digital TV standards body DigiTAG is relaunching with the new aim of promoting terrestrial broadcasting and protecting the spectrum it needs on a worldwide basis.

DigiTAG’s president Lieven Vermaele aid that the organisation’s new mission is to protect broadcast spectrum, while continuing to focus on promoting and harmonising digital terrestrial services and products and developing new DTT markets.  Vermaele, who is also the EBU’s director of technology and innovation, said “We need a body to protect broadcasting and spectrum. Spectrum is a burning issue for the whole of the broadcasting industry and we need to ensure that there is cooperation and a coherent message from all stakeholders. We need a united front.”

DigiTAG has also announced that it will become technology-neutral in order represent the whole terrestrial broadcast industry. This will also help towards attracting members from the worldwide broadcast community.

The DigiTAG steering board has also been elected for 2013. The presidency of DigiTAG includes president Lieven Vermaele, and vice-presidents Alex Mestre of Abertis Telecom, John Adam of Samsung and Lars Backlund of Teracom.