?We must choose standard ahead of China?? minister promises July announcement

Communications Minister Juarez Quadros promised that Anatel will announce the DTV standard by July, stressing that Brazil must make its choice before China so as to enhance its bargaining power. "The Chinese market is far bigger than ours,? he said. ?China has 350 million television sets, and Brazil has 80 million. If China decides first we won?t be in a position to demand so much reciprocity. We?ll be obliged to follow in their footsteps.? According to Mr Quadros, China is still studying the possibility of using its own standard instead of choosing one of the three available systems. By reciprocity the Brazilian Government means job creation and retention, royalties, guaranteed supplies of components, and keeping local production and exports at current levels. Mr Quadros said he?s constantly talking to cabinet colleagues, especially the ministers of finance, science and technology, industry and commerce, and foreign affairs, to be sure of including the aspirations of all sectors and industries involved. China?s DMB-T standard, which resembles Japan?s (ISDB-T), hasn?t been approved by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), so Brazil hasn?t taken it into consideration.