How does the possibility of mandating a standard relate to the Commission policy of technology neutrality?
Technological neutrality is a very important principle underpinning Commission policy. However, under EU law, a departure from this principle is possible in specific cases where justified by market development, the need for economies of scale, interoperability and freedom of choice for users. In the case of mobile TV, political choices have to be made if these new services are to be taken up on a large scale in Europe, and citizens are to benefit from this. In the past such a political choice was made with the GSM standard for mobile phones, which as a result became successful worldwide.
