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 . News
 29 August 1996 : at the
Hourtin Communication Summer
Campus, François Fillon, after describing the increase in recent
French initiatives in the digital television sector, explained the advantages of
a single decoder: "(...) there is a risk that the incompatibility between
the different decoders will disorient and discourage consumers for some time".
The Minister was also convinced that "cable is a medium which is adapted to
the digital revolution". Finally, with regard to
over-the-air digital television broadcasts,
the Minister, in the light of the Philippe Lévrier report, wishes to see
studies continue.
8 August 1996: launch of Telecom 2D satellite by
Ariane V90. This satellite will carry out, among other tasks, the broadcast of
radio and television programmes for Canal+, Canalsatellite analogue, TF1, France
2, Arte, La Cinquième (Channel 5), RTL9, RTL-TV1, etc. Telecom 2D was
built by Matra Marconi and Alcatel Espace, and will be in service for ten years. 27 July 1996: a National Frequency Agency, an
administrative State body, will come into existence on 1 January 1997.
Provisions for its creation are included in the
law on telecommunications regulations (article 14) published in the Official
Journal of 27 July 1996. 25 July 1996: the Inspector General of Finances,
Jean-Michel Bloch-Laîné, submitted his report to the Prime Minister
which concludes the audit on public audiovisual bodies. This report recommends,
notably, the restructuring of France Television into a holding company and "will
enlarge its control to all public programme making companies." 24 July 1996: the European Commission approved a
proposal for a directive aiming to establish a procedure for information
exchange and administrative cooperation between national and community
authorities for all regulatory projects in the multimedia sector; the Commission
also adopted a Green Paper on the social challenges set by new multimedia
techniques. Mid-July 1996: François Fillon gave Jean-Charles
Bourdier, editing director of the regional newspaper Républicain Lorrain,
a mission to analyse and make proposals on the evolution of press companies
linked to new technologies. 26 March 1996: the law on the information highway and
services is definitively adopted. After a second reading, Members of Parliament
voted that the text, which was adopted by the Senate 20 February last, did in
fact conform. Articles 3, 4 and 5 concern the audiovisual sector more directly. 4 January 1996 : presentation to the press of the
Georges Vanderchmitt report. This report was submitted to François
Fillon. Its title is "Satellite television : an approach for a new market".Which
strategy for France in the matter of digital satellite television ? This mission
to inform and propose was given on 5 September 1995 to Georges Vanderchmitt who
is a senior adviser to the Audit Commission and recently became president of the
Sofirad. The mission is designed to guide the Government in its choices.A few of
the things said by François Fillon, 4 January 1996 : "... I want digital technology to be introduced into France in the
bestpossible conditions, whatever the media may be..."
"...The
public and private sectors must agree..."
"... We must have one
decoder only..."
"...The State's role ? To persuade, to make
easier, certainly. But not todo..."
"...A private monopoly
associated with Astra is not desirable..."
"...I would be
favourable to seeing better co-operation between FranceTelecom and Eutelsat..."
"...I
propose that with the Minister for Culture - Philippe Douste-Blazy - weshould
organise a meeting sometime in the coming weeks with thetelevision stations to
see how to set up this strategy...".
30
January 1996 : bill A bill which is designed to make conditions favourable for trials to be
started, approved at a Cabinet meeting 15 November 1995, is examined in
Parliament. This bill, which comprises five articles, grants exemptions for a
strictly limited period to two laws : the law on telecommunications regulations
of 29 December 1990 and the law on liberty of communication of 30 September
1986. (see also News/information highways and
services).
4 January 1996 : presentation to the press of the Georges Vanderchmitt
report. This report was submitted to François Fillon. Its title is "Satellite
television : an approach for a new market". Which strategy for France in
the matter of digital satellite television ? This mission to inform and propose
was given on 5 September 1995 to Georges Vanderchmitt who is a senior adviser to
the Audit Commission and recently became president of the Sofirad. The mission
is designed to guide the Government in its choices. A few of the things said by François Fillon, 4 January 1996 :
"...
I want digital technology to be introduced into France in the best possible
conditions, whatever the media may be..."
"...The public
and private sectors must agree..."
"... We must have one
decoder only..."
"...The State's role ? To persuade, to
make easier, certainly. But not to do..."
"...A private
monopoly associated with Astra is not desirable..."
"...I
would be favourable to seeing better co-operation between France Telecom and
Eutelsat..."
"...I propose that with the Minister for
Culture - Philippe Douste-Blazy - we should organise a meeting sometime in the
coming weeks with the television stations to see how to set up this strategy...".  . Legal
framework : list of main texts
© Secretary of State for industry - France
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