Commercial radio frequencies auctioned again – Telegraaf.nl

THE HAGUE –

The government will re-auctioning the frequencies for commercial radio stations. The permits will apply from 2017 for a period of ten years. Minister Henk Kamp of Economic Affairs announced Friday it

.

The auction will be additional free digital frequencies for newcomers but also for existing parties. There will be no limit as to the number of frequencies that a company can buy. Also other restrictions are lifted. So you eliminate most detailed program requirements, with the exception of commercial channels for news and Dutch music. The period of ten years, Camp set because companies often invest heavily in the permit and in the transmitter

Camp:. “An auction of licenses with fewer conditions and long duration gives companies more opportunities to innovate and to undertake. “He points out that music is no longer heard only via radio, CD or download, but that services like iTunes, Spotify and YouTube also play a role. “There is analog, digital and Internet available. The radio market has become part of a fast changing media market. The commercial radio stations must be able to respond effectively to them. “

Deputy Prime Lodewijk Asscher denied that the government has opted for an auction to raise as much money for the treasury. “An auction is a transparent and fair way to allocate a scarce resource. It is not necessarily the case that as much as possible to turn. It is fair pricing. “

The House debate next week with Camp on the auctions. PvdA’er Astrid Oosenbrug is already not happy. “The Labour Party is against auctioning the FM frequencies. The broadcasters have invested heavily in the transition to digital radio. An auction would create unrest and broadcasters chasing extra cost. That’s not necessary. “

Kees Verhoeven D66 is positive about the requirements for the stations are less detailed. The minister, however, maintains in his view sufficient account of digitization where radio stations now invest heavily in. “And letting go of the ownership limits bear the risk of concentration of power in itself.”

class=”clear”