Digital switchover in Hungary. European policies and national circumstances

The article examines how EU policies influence regulatory objectives related to digital switchover in Hungary, a relatively typical Central and Eastern European member state. From this perspective we evaluate the significance of the issue of digital switchover in the context of the general EU policy promoting the development of information society. In the light of the development of the European regulatory background we describe and evaluate the steps of the Hungarian regulator taken so far with the purpose of promoting digitisation. We also describe the institutions and the procedure of tendering the frequencies for digital broadcasting, that are based on a balance of political control and administrative procedures. The description may contribute to the identification of the definitive drivers behind the regulatory steps taken towards digital switchover at the national level. Beyond that, it also provides a (possible) explanation of the sudden advance of telecommunications law and tele- communications regulators to the detriment of media regulation and media authorities in this issue.