Brussels, 13/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 11 July, the Commission launched a public consultation exercise on the “digital dividend”, with the aim of improving cooperation between member states and getting the most from the new possibilities being offered. “The digital dividend comes at a critical moment when we want to connect all parts of Europe to high-speed broadband, ensure high quality broadcasting, and expand consumer choice in future wireless services,” said Commissioner for Information Society and Media Viviane Reding, highlighting the great care that must be taken in managing the radio spectrum. “Europe will only achieve all of this if it adopts a coordinated approach … Depending on the choices we make, the potential impact of the digital dividend can be increased by billions of euros,” she pointed out. Appropriate European coordination would increase the potential economic impact of the digital dividend by an additional €20 to €50 billion between now and 2015. In the long run an additional benefit of €30 billion could be realised beyond 2015 through further EU coordination. So as not to compromise the use of the new services in some member states and to ensure that a clear regulatory environment prevails, the Commission proposes to adopt a Community roadmap, comprising a raft of common and coordinated measures and even harmonising the 800 MHz band, particularly suitable for new generations of mobile broadband. Member states will retain, however, a certain flexibility allowing them to adapt these measures to local conditions. The Commission will present a final proposal “as quickly as possible” after the closure of this public consultation exercise. The consultation document is available at: http: //ec.europa.eu/information_society/policy/ecomm/radio_spectrum/topics/reorg/pubcons_digdiv_200907/index_en.htm (I.L./transl.rt)