Convergence

The telecommunications, media and information technology sectors are characterised by convergence. Thanks to digitalisation and new compression techniques, a single medium can be used to carry out various sorts of electronic communication.

This means that telecommunications, media and information technology are technically merged together in such a way that they only require a single network.

In addition to classical types of media, this also allows new services to be introduced, such as “video on demand.” Several years ago, a specific transmission infrastructure was only used for a single objective (broadcasting, other telecommunications services such as vocal telephone calls): this is called technical infrastructure specialisation. Given that infrastructures may now offer multiple services, the term “technical de-specialisation” is used. Technological convergence has led to the technical de-specialisation of infrastructures.

In addition to technological convergence, economic convergence has developed: telecommunications companies look for synergies and make strategic alliances. Given the links between operators and content providers, formerly separate industrial sectors have grown closer (electronic telecommunications and media).

Legal or political convergence attempts to reconcile federal matters (telecommunications) and Community-level matters (radio and television broadcasting). As part of this process, a cooperation agreement was signed on 17 November 2006 between the Federal Government and the Communities. This agreement concerns mutual consultation when drafting legislation on electronic communication networks, when exchanging information and when exercising authority in regards to electronic communication networks by regulatory authorities in charge of telecommunications or radio and television broadcasting.