25/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - Investigation into Spanish compensation for digital terrestrial broadcasters. On 25 April, the European Commission opened an in-depth investigation to examine whether a Spanish plan to compensate digital terrestrial broadcasters for the extra costs of parallel broadcasting, while services are re-allocated to another frequency to free the digital dividend, is in line with EU state aid rules. The Commission will investigate in particular whether the measure is proportionate and necessary. The Commission also has concerns that the measure may favour terrestrial broadcasters over other available technologies (e.g. satellite broadcasts) in breach of the principle of technological neutrality. The Spanish plan proposes to reallocate 800 MHz frequencies to digital terrestrial frequencies alone. At the same time, the Commission has approved aid to enable certain households to continue receiving free-to-air channels after the reallocation of frequencies. (FG/transl.fl)