Lithuanias recipe for fair and transparent digital licensing. There is none, as there are no drugs for fairness.

Artras Raas Riga, March 14, 2013

The process

The first tender for digital terestrial broadcasting licenses announced on February 18, 2004 The first three licenses isued on March 31, 2004. Another three on October 6, 2004 Lithuanian government approves a model for development of digital TV in Lithuania on November 25, 2004. The model provides for four national DVB-T networks. At the time two networks, operated by state-owned Telecentras were operating Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission on May 12, 2005 announces a tender for national DVB-T network operator. Four participants, including Telecentras. Telecentras and fixed-line operator Lietuvos Telekomas (currently TEO LT) announced winners in the tender on July 29, 2005.

The tender

Technology Coverage Inovations Financial capacity Experience Business plan Competition

The process continues

Another tender for digital tereestrial broadcasting licenses announced on 26 October, 2005 (both Telecentras and Lietuvos Telekomas networks included) 6 broadcasters with 12 programs and 3 re-broacasters with program packages get the licences on March 1, 2006. It is decided that every of four networks (2 by Telecentras and 2 by Lietuvos telekomas) will send 10 programs each. The networks were attributed by Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission On May 9, 2007 attribution of networks was revised following the court decision after complaint by one of the broadcasters (the only case in the whole process) Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission agreed to change he conditions of license and move Sport 1 TV from TEO LT 2nd network to 1st network (which covers broader territory)

On October 29, 2012 terrestrial analog broadcasting is switched off in Lithuania

Nothing striking happens. In some week or two after switch off 98 percent of population have an access to 13 free programs.

Is everything OK?

Telecentras announced it wants to increase prices for its program sending and other services Broadcasters protest Telecentras did not increase prices for program sending, but upped those for other services Broadcasters can not change the network as it is a part of their licences Only new players may choose network

What are the key problems?

Infrastructure (mainly TV towers) are owned by Telecentras Telecentras is state-owned company Telecentras is cross-subsidizing other businesses (like internet service Mezon) State does not want to be involved in price regulations as Telecentras pays dividends Teo LT must use services (mainly infrastructure), provided by Telecentras at the price it sets Broadcasters happy?

Is there any recipe?

Depends on whether patient was to be treated.