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Europe is leading the world in switching from analogue to digital television. The European Commission is driving a coordinated approach to the freeing up and future use of the radio spectrum because it wants to ensure that EU citizens can enjoy the benefits of digital television, including a growing range of interactive TV services (such as high definition TV or video on demand), available on multiple transmission platforms including terrestrial, cable, satellite, TV on internet and mobile TV networks. For that to happen, Member States are gradually closing down spectrum-hungry analogue transmissions and moving to digital broadcasting.

Number of individuals spending over 50pc of their monthly income on unsecured debt repayments rises to almost one in ten.

The annual growth rate of the outstanding amount of debt securities issued by euro area residents increased from 8.1% in November 2008 to 9.4% in December. For the outstanding amount of quoted shares issued by euro area residents, the annual growth rate was 1.0% in December 2008, compared with 0.9% in November.

Growth in Slovakia's telecommunications market over the next five years will be driven by a more rapid uptake of mobile data, fixed broadband Internet, and voice over IP (VoIP) services, while revenues from mobile voice services will begin to decline, according to the latest report from Pyramid Research.

GDP declined by 1.5% in both the euro area (EA15) and the EU27 during the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with the previous quarter, according to flash estimates published by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities. In the third quarter of 2008, growth rates were -0.2% in both zones.

UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers' organisation, welcomed the Czech Presidency's idea to call for an extraordinary summit at the end of this month to discuss Europe's policy response to the economic crisis. Against a worsening economic outlook, Europe must stick to a common approach based on its values and rules rather than revert to economic nationalism, warned UEAPME.

Faster, more flexible funding for regional policy projects will help EU economic recovery, but faster funding must not mean looser rules, said the Regional Development Committee.

In December 2008 compared with November 2008, seasonally adjusted industrial production fell by 2.6% in the euro area (EA15) and by 2.3% in the EU27. In November production decreased by 2.2% in both zones.

The European automotive manufacturers urge the EU to intensify and coordinate efforts to restore the functioning of the financial market and overcome the current crisis. The vehicle industry, in particular, needs significantly broader and quicker access to financial support through the European Investment Bank as part of a broader set of measures to survive the economic turmoil, ensuring innovations in low-carbon technologies and maintaining the high-skilled workforce Europe needs.