VZCZCXYZ0007
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #1279/01 2562136
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 122136Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2021
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0864
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0159
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001279 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
EEB/CIP FOR AMBASSADOR DAVID GROSS, ANNE JILLSON 
DEPARTMENT FOR FCC 
USDOC FOR 4322/ITA/MAC/OLAC/PEACHER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON EINV PREL ECPS ITU OVIP TSPL TINT AR
SUBJECT: Argentina: Advocating U.S. Digital TV Standard 
 
¶1. This is an action request.  Please see para 7. 
 
¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY.  The Government of Argentina (GOA) is close to 
choosing the Japanese-Brazilian digital TV (DTV) standard as a 
result of a recently-signed bilateral trade, investment, and 
infrastructure joint declaration with the Government of Brazil 
(GOB), and meetings with Government of Japan (GOJ) ministers.  Post 
is prepared to engage in what could be a last chance to advocate for 
the U.S. standard, but seeks an assurance of a coordinated industry 
support to delay or hopefully reverse any such decision.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
Argentina and Brazil discuss digital TV standard 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶3. (SBU) Beginning in mid-August, Emboffs learned from local 
industry contacts that the GOA was in discussions with the GOB over 
the possible adoption of the Japanese-Brazilian DTV standard, which 
Brazil has already adopted, and is a competitor of the U.S.-South 
Korean standard (and which the Embassy has been actively advocating 
for the past several years).  These reports were affirmed by 
subsequent press reports and Ambassador's conversation with Planning 
Minister De Vido.  Last week in Brasilia, the GOA and GOB held a 
series of meetings that culminated in a joint declaration (septel) 
that they would seek to deepen cooperation in a series of trade, 
investment, and infrastructure initiatives.  This declaration 
included a statement to have relevant ministries "hold regular 
meetings with the objective of exchanging technical and 
institutional information and exploring the mutual advantageous 
opportunities of a partnership for both countries in the issues of 
investment, equipment production, strengthening of the production 
integration, technological development, promotion of research and 
cooperation in the field of developing software, among other 
possibilities associated with the digital TV." 
 
¶4. (SBU) On September 10, GOA Planning Minister Julio De Vido and 
Communications Secretary Lisandro Salas met with Japanese Vice 
Minister of Communications and Interior Akira Terasaki, reportedly 
to analyze the technical aspects of the Japanese norm, ISDB-T.  Also 
in attendance were representatives from the Japanese firm NEC. 
While no announcement has been made, media reports continue to 
indicate that the GOA might soon select the Brazilian-Japanese 
standard. 
 
---------- 
ATSC Forum 
---------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) In mid-August, Emboffs contacted executives from the ATSC 
Forum, which represents companies that use the U.S.-South Korean 
standard.  Emboffs advised them of these developments and proposed 
moving forward with an advocacy campaign to counter the recent GOB 
efforts, stressing that a decision could be imminent.  The ATSC 
Forum did not immediately respond to our requests for guidance. 
These requests also came on the heels of the news that the 
Government of Colombia had decided to adopt the European standard. 
The Forum later responded that while all their previous commitments 
to provide an incentive package stood, they questioned the 
likelihood that the GOA would make a decision any time soon. 
Emboffs contacted ATSC executives again in early September, 
explaining the potential urgency of the matter, and suggested that 
opportunities for engagement, stressing again that the USG must take 
the lead from industry on advocacy issues.  ATSC explained that they 
were planning a visit to Argentina in late October, in connection 
with a local conference, hoping that they could attract 
representatives from LG, Harris, and Dolby to perhaps do a series of 
advocacy visits with Minister De Vido and others.  ATSC has also 
subsequently suggested trying to organize a meeting with Minister De 
Vido while he is in New York in late September to attend the opening 
of the United Nations General Assembly. 
 
¶6. (SBU) In these conversations, ATSC representatives did reiterate 
that their 2006 proposal first presented to Minister De Vido still 
stood.  This proposal includes an investment in a Argentine 
manufacturing plant for LG Plasma and LCD TV sets (which they claim 
would create 500 jobs), a 75% discount in patents (the money waived 
would go to a fund for R&D of HDTV in Argentina), a transfer of 
technology from patent holders exclusively to Argentina, and 
financing options for the transition from analog to digital for 
broadcasters. 
 
 
-------------------------- 
Comment and action request 
-------------------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) Post is prepared to energetically re-engage its advocacy 
efforts in support of the US DTV standard.  However, we seek 
assurances that the industry (companies and ATSC) is committed and 
prepared to conduct appropriate follow-up before we undertake any 
advocacy efforts.  If the GOA is indeed getting close to a decision 
on a Japanese-Brazilian DTV standard, and as we have discussed with 
ATSC representatives, now could be the last chance for coordinated 
industry-USG action to delay or hopefully reverse any such decision. 
 Emboffs remain engaged with ATSC reps and continue to try to 
persuade the association to indicate their willingness to conduct 
such follow up.  Emboffs are also coordinating with ATSC reps in 
organizing a meeting between GOA officials and ATSC reps while the 
former are in New York in the coming days.  We request that 
Washington officials ask the industry indicate its willingness to 
follow up with the GOA to support what could be the last chance to 
influence the GOA's decision on its future DTV standard.  Washington 
agencies support and rapid action is much appreciated. 
 
WAYNE