The Finnish Government has granted a digital television network licence to Digita Oy. Altogether three network licences were open for applications. Besides Digita the applicants included the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE, MTV Oy and Swelcom Oy.
Mr Kimmo Sasi, Minister of Transport and Communications, says that entitling one operator, Digita, to manage all three multiplexes promotes the goals of the Communications Market Act and encourages the use of digital television. The licence entitles to use and manage three multiplexes. The licence-holder is responsible for programme providers’ services, and manages the required equipment and programmes.
According to Minister Sasi, Digita expressed the most interest to develop new, technologically advanced services, in addition to programmes. Furthermore, it has the relevant experience of quality assurance. Since Digita does not provide programmes itself, it can offer its services to all programme providers under equal terms.
The network licences are valid until 31 August 2010. New licences will become open for application once spectrums from analogue use come available.
SWelcom is SanomaWSOY's electronic media division.