Radiography of digital television in Europe: DTT, IPTV, mobile and satellite

There are currently a total of 24 countries in Europe that have digital terrestrial networks, with the launch of new DTT services in Bulgaria, Ireland and Romania planned for this year. As for IPTV, from the 68 platforms that existed in 2008, there were 90 at the end of 2009, while in satellite, from the 51 services that existed a year ago, there are now 60.

Of the 27 countries of the European Union, plus the candidates Croatia and Turkey, currently 24 have digital terrestrial networks while in three others DTT is currently in the implementation phase. The analogue switch-off has already been carried out in six European countries (Germany, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden) and in some regions of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. Spain, Austria, Malta and Slovenia are the states that will turn off their analogue signals throughout 2010.

Throughout 2009, digital terrestrial television began its journey in Latvia, Poland, Portugal and Slovakia. As far as paid services are concerned, 2009 marked the launch of channels in Germany, Latvia and Spain (Gol Tv).
Regarding the number of channels, the European Audiovisual Observatory estimates the number of channels that transmit on DTT networks at present at 730, compared to April 2009.

IPTV, satellite and mobile

Digital television has also been developed in 2009 on other platforms such as pay DTT, IPTV, mobile television and satellite. At this time, according to the European Audiovisual Observatory, the number of cable operators would be around 4,000 operators in the 29 EU countries plus the candidates Croatia and Turkey, although the number has been reduced slightly, and the sector is still immersed in a consolidation process (for example, in Germany, Finland, Hungary and the Czech Republic).
In line with the deployment of DTT throughout Europe, the number of distribution companies for DTT payment services has been increasing from 14 at the end of 2008 to 20 at the end of 2009.

With regard to IPTV services, from the 68 existing in 2008, Europe has grown to 90, thus increasing competition in this sector in several countries. In thirteen countries there are more than four IPTV operators, such as Sweden (6), France (5), Denmark (5), the Netherlands (4), Bulgaria (4) and Slovenia (4).

There has also been a slight growth in the number of satellite audiovisual service providers in Europe. From the 51 existing in 2008 it has increased to 60 at the end of 2009. This also indicates a high level of competition particularly in Hungary, Poland and Romania, where each country has five different satellite packagers.

The total number of service operators for mobile networks (both television services for mobile phones on 3G networks and personal mobile television over DVB-H), has increased in the last year despite the doubts that hang over DVB-H platforms. It is interesting to highlight the fact that 114 television channels have been created specifically for mobile services with leading initiatives such as Quatro Movil, HBO Mobile, RTL TV mobile and RTE News.