UK switchover began in late 2008 and is due to complete in late 2012. Reding will on Friday publish measures to accelerate the switchover.

“The present economic crisis requires us to accelerate the ongoing switchover from analogue to digital TV in Europe.” Reding reckons spectrum auctioned for wireless broadband could reap €150 to €200 billion.

—Telco rules must be harmonised: The EC’s telecoms reform package is currently in the long grass after MEPs repeatedly refused to abandon their opposition to a line allowing countries to disconnect illegal downloaders without court approval. Reding is protesting: “The agreement encompasses ... 750 subparagraphs - there is only one subparagraph on which no agreement could be found.” She warns EU GDP could increase by two percent with the reforms, helping save €20 billion a year she says is lost due to fragmented national regulations.

—Encourage next-gen broadband through cooperation: Reding wants more competition but also “extra impetus through co-investment schemes under which several operators deploy fibre-to the-home”.

—Drive 3G/LTE take-up: Reding grumbles only 16 percent of EU mobile users (92 million) use 3G ,but says reforms to GSM legislation (and that telecoms reform package) could save mobile carriers €1.6 billion in capex.

Release.