BBC TRUST FREESAT CONCLUSION.

AS REPORTED BY THE BBC TRUST IN APRIL 2007.

Bar graph showing the following number of respondent who said that current access is not acceptable:
Northern Ireland:80%; Wales: 74%; Scotland: 67%; Overall: 62%; England: 62%; No location: 57%.Sample of comments from those who considered access unacceptable“Access to digital services is often only available via a cable or satellite provider. This is the
case where I live and I do not like having to pay extra to receive a public service.”
“From a licence fee payers view point - unacceptable at the moment. From a technical
executive standpoint in the broadcast industry - a fairly good job has been done so far -
given the technical constraints of terrestrial transmission.”
“No the current digital services aren't acceptable. Freeview coverage is still too patchy and
signal strength/quality is poor in a lot of areas.”
“Current access to the BBC's digital services is not acceptable because to receive digital
services in areas where Freeview is unavailable (e.g. costal areas) or where cable is
unavailable or service quality is unacceptable, the user is restricted to the services offered
through the Sky monopoly.”
“Access to digital services only becomes acceptable when everyone who can currently
access analogue is able to access digital, which I don't think is the case currently. This is
especially important in this situation, where the changeover isn't optional for the viewer.”
“The BBC's current digital service is not available to a large number of rural viewers in
particular, due to the terrain blocking the line of sight signal. Even when the signal strength is
increased this situation will remain.”
Sample of comments from those who considered access acceptable“Access to current services is acceptable (speaking for my area)”
“The current freeview option seems more than adequate access to the BBC's digital
services. DAB radio is also covered, thus the only potential area to be opened up is that of
internet TV.” 

BBC TRUST FREESAT CONCLUSION.

AS REPORTED BY THE BBC TRUST IN APRIL 2007.

Sample of comments from respondents who believe the proposal will notminimise impact on the market
“No it does not; the whole marketing and installation etc should be undertaken and
controlled by the BBC”
Question 10 – Is it appropriate for the Trust to impose conditions to prevent
licence fee money benefiting other participants in the proposed joint venture
and to ensure appropriate separation between Freeview and "Freesat"?
Of the 516 responses to question 10, 79% consider it appropriate for the Trust to impose
conditions to prevent licence fee money benefiting other participants in the proposed joint
venture and to ensure appropriate separation between Freeview and ‘Freesat’, while 21% do
not.

Should there be separation between "Freesat" and
Freeview?
Yes79%
No21%
YesNo
This view is less prevalent among responses from organisations, where only 69% of
respondents believe that the Trust should impose such conditions.

Should there be separation between "Freesat" and Freeview?. 79% said "Yes" and 21% said "No".
"The Trust should impose conditions to separate Freeview from "Fresat"". Those agrreing were 79% of individuals, 79% categorised as "other", 79% overall and 69% of organisations. Sample of comments from respondents who believe the Trust should impose
these conditions
“Yes, other participants should pay their fair share of any costs in the joint venture.”
“Yes. Licence fee money should go to providing programming and digital services. It should
be accountable for. It should not be used to help other partners develop technology and
services which will not be available to the freesat viewer. Also some services may be
available on freesat but not on freeview and vice versa. Therefore these should be kept
separate too.”
“Yes, the licence fee should not be used as a profit vehicle for allied companies involved inthe JV.”
“License fee money should only be used for the betterment of this service. Other
participants will see the obvious benefits without needing license fee money.”
“Yes - whilst the government and the BBC insisted on taxing television the licence fee
money should not profit other organisations. The licence fee money should be used purely
for distribution and channel content”
“It is, taxpayers/licence fees should not be used or available to private companies.”
“This is appropriate; there would be ample opportunity for the third-parties to make the
venture into a profitable one themselves.”
“Yes absolutely. The license fee money should only benefit the BBC not any joint venture
partners.”