Overview of digital television switchover policy in Europe, the United States and Japan

The purpose of this paper is to review current policy and practice in management of analogue-digital switch in broadcasting. The paper finds that with regard the objectives of switch-off, the broad policy aims of clearing spectrum, modernising infrastructure, and improving the services to the consumer are shared across the major countries studied. Uncertainty about the cash value and potential alternative uses of spectrum is natural given rapid technological change, but the common potential broadcasting uses include mobile television, high definition digital terrestrial television, and more digital broadcasters and channels, including regional and local developments.