Interactivity, digital dividend and information in the implementation of DTT. The case study of Ecuador.

Introduction. This research study seeks to establish the reason why interactivity is absent from Ecuador's digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcasts; to identify the use given to the digital dividend; and to determine the knowledge the Ecuadorian population has about the implementation of DTT. Method. The study is based on the review of governmental documents, interviews with representatives of the sectors involved and surveys. Results. Interactive applications linked to public services are being developed at universities but they are not been integrated in DTT broadcasts. The digital dividend will be used for mobile broadband. There is a lack of information campaigns about the features of DTT. Conclusions. Ecuador has the capacity to create interactive applications; the benefits of interactivity are conditioned to the universal acceptance of the middleware language. The allocation of the digital dividend for its exploitation by private companies and the development of IPTV have led to an uncertain future about users' consumption forms. The responsibilities and cooperation mechanisms of the government and private companies to promote the transition to DTT among the population are yet to be defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]