Brussels, 18/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - Colombia intends to use the DVB-T standard for ground digital television but trusts the European Union will provide support for implementing the process as it promised two years ago, the Colombian minister for technology, information and communication, Diego Molano Vega, said after a meeting with Commissioners Neelie Kroes (digital agenda) and Androulla Vassiliou (audiovisual) on Tuesday 16 November. The DVB-T standard is an open standard of the DVB family perfected in Europe and now used by over 120 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and Latin America. So far, only three Latin American countries have, however, decided to use the European standard. These are Uruguay, Panama and Colombia. DVB-T has many advantages including low prices for decoders, televisions and broadcasting equipment as well as lower charges for producers, thus allowing a larger number of citizens to gain access to interactive services. Colombia is hoping for aid from the EU amounting to €30 million over four years, failing which the project may be discarded to the benefit of Japanese, American or - especially - Brazilian standards, the minister said, without wishing to give an ultimatum. (I.L./transl.jl)