However, British Conservative MEP Geoffrey Van Orden said there was "obstruction from the usual quarters", and accused the EU of sending "unrealistic and unjust" messages to Turkey.

BBC: MEPs split over Turkish EU membership prospects

"If you want any of these advanced services, you need some sort of set-top box, which people basically perceive as free, " says Robert Van Orden, a vice president at Scientific-Atlanta.

FORBES: Cruz control

As MEPs debated the outcome of conciliation talks on the EU's 2012 budget on 1 December 2011, Mr Van Orden noted that national governments were imposing austerity programmes across Europe.

BBC: 2012 budget debate

But British Labour MEP Derek Vaughan rejected Mr Van Orden's arguments, saying he was concerned that there would not be enough money in the budget to support regional development aid, which he said had an important role in fostering economic growth.

BBC: 2012 budget debate