DigiTAG

Web Letter

December 2005 | # 46

DigiTAG seeks to inform members and non-members about important developments in the digital terrestrial television market. Each month, DigiTAG distributes its web letter with news updates and further exploration of one topic. This month, we provide an overview of digital terrestrial television in Denmark.

To subscribe to the DigiTAG Web Letter, send an email to the DigiTAG Project Office.

DTT in Denmark

Denmark is ready for an initial launch of DTT services in April 2006. Viewers will be able to access free-to-air programming from public service broadcasters including DR, DR2 and TV2 available from a single multiplex. Current frequency planning will allow for the launch of three additional multiplexes, although it is not known when this will take place.

Although one of the last Northern European countries to launch DTT services, Denmark can very easily catch up on its delay. Given its geography and topology, it will be relatively easy to attain full population coverage. It is estimated that the entire population would be able to access DTT services on four multiplexes within 18 months.

A consumer awareness campaign, led by the soon to be established industry forum for digital media (Brancheforum Digitale Medier - BDM), will help ensure that viewers know about the launch of DTT services. BDM has been initiated by public service broadcaster DR with the support of the consumer electronics industry.

Current television landscape

Over 60% of households in Denmark rely on cable for their primary television reception.

The terrestrial platform is used as the primary source of television for approximately 18% of the population. However, because almost all satellite homes also rely on the terrestrial platform to access TV2 and local content, this means that the terrestrial platform has a larger audience share. A recent survey shows that around 43% of television sets receive the signal from terrestrial transmissions.

In terms of services available on the terrestrial platform, all viewers can access two services from the national public broadcasters - DR1 and TV2. In addition, the channel DR2 is available to approximately 40% of the population. Some local channels are also available.

Already, it is estimated that several thousand DTT set-top boxes have been sold in Denmark. Viewers have been able to access DTT services from neighbouring countries as well as the services available from Danish DTT trials.

The uptake of DTT services in Denmark may resemble that of Germany. In both countries, a large percentage of homes use the cable platform for their main television reception which limits the reliance on the terrestrial platform. However, as has been shown in Germany, many cable homes will purchase DTT receivers for their second and third television sets.

The popularity of the DTT platform will depend on the content offer. Among terrestrial households, many viewers will likely be encouraged to adopt DTT in order to access DR2 which is currently only available on the cable and satellite platforms. It is in order to access DR2 that some households have already purchased DTT receivers in those areas where DTT trials have been ongoing.

Launching more services

In addition to the three television programme services ready for launch, the DTT platform will also provide services for the hearing impaired and deaf (signing). However, the services on the three additional multiplexes has not yet been determined much less when these multiplexes will be launched. Following the Swedish and Finnish model, it is likely that the offer will include a mixture of free and pay DTT television programme services. Further information is expected from government in the next year.

As required by government, MHP services will be part of the DTT service from the outset. The public broadcaster DR has been a pioneer of interactive television services for children and broadcast the first live interactive television programme for teenagers. In December 2004, DR launched DR Extra, its interactive television portal, on the satellite platform. This service will also be part of the DTT offer in addition to services from TV2 as well as a common EPG.

In addition, TV2/Nord Digital conducted a successful trial of interactive television services on the DTT platform in the Northern Jutland. The trial provided 500 households with MHP-enabled set-top boxes in order to test viewer reaction to interactive services and better understand how regional television services could be developed.

Analogue switch-off

At this stage, analogue switch-off has been set for October 2009. This is the same date when local television licenses expire.

In terms of coordinating analogue switch-off, the BDM may have a key role to play. With the aim of providing public awareness on all digital television platforms, it may serve as a precursor to an analogue switch-off body. However, it will require funding beyond that made available by DR and the consumer electronics industry.

It is possible that analogue switch-off takes place at the national level. This would mean that analogue terrestrial transmissions would cease on the same day throughout the entire country. While this strategy resembles that of Finland, it is very different from the strategy used in other countries where analogue switch-off will take place on a region-by-region basis. It is probable, however, that a few areas may "test" analogue switch-off earlier in order to help provide a better understanding of the process.

Following analogue switch-off, it may be possible to launch four additional multiplexes. However, much will depend on the success of the initial DTT launch.

Source: Natalie Mouyal, DigiTAG Project Office

About DigiTAG

DigiTAG aims to encourage and facilitate the implementation and introduction of digital terrestrial television services using the Digital Video Broadcasting Project's Standard (DVB-T). It has some 60 members from broadcasting, network operators, regulatory, and manufacturing organisations throughout Europe and beyond.

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DTT NEWS ROUND-UP

For all articles, please go to DigiTAG News

DigiTAG report on Analogue Switchover Strategies in western Europe

The terrestrial television market is changing across Europe. Most countries in Western Europe have launched digital terrestrial television (DTT) services and are now making progress towards Analogue Switch-Off (ASO).

In order to better understand these developments, the EBU together with DigiTAG have published a report entitled Analogue Switch-off Strategies in Western Europe.

ASO is set to take place across Europe from 2007 to 2015. The report shows that most countries in Western Europe are well on track to meet analogue switch-off by 2015. The advanced ASO planning in Finland suggests that it is likely to become the first European country to end its analogue terrestrial television transmissions in 2007.

Source: DigiTAG Project Office

EU Council discusses spectrum and analogue switch-off issues

In a European Union Council of Ministers meeting last week, Ministers discussed the issues of spectrum trading and analogue switch-off. The meeting included Ministers from Member-States responsible for energy, transportation and telecommunications issues.

Regarding spectrum, Ministers agreed on the increasing econonomic and social importance of the resource particularly given the convergence of wireless technologies.

However, views were divided on the best way to manage spectrum and the appropriate level of harmonisation at the European level. Further discussion will be necessary especially following the results of the RRC-06.

Regarding analogue switch-off, welcomed the Commission's communications recommending a joint EU analogue switch-off date of 2012. While recognising the complexity of digital switch-over, the Council encouraged Member-States to meet the 2012 deadline.

Source: EU Press Release

Romania - Ready to a launch DTT trials

Romania’s National Audiovisual Council (CNA) will allocate frequency (Channel 54) for a six-month DTT trial in Bucharest.

In addition, a second frequency (Channel 59) is also likely to be made available to commercial broadcasters for DTT tests starting in April or May 2006. The CNA will select the broadcasters to participate in the test on the basis of their content and ratings.

The Digitalisation Council was established in July 2005 in order to source frequencies for a third national DTT network. The network will be reserved for up to 6 commercial broadcasters with national and regional coverage.

Romania has fixed 2012 as its date for analogue switch-off.

Source: Broadband TV News

Finland - Four applicants for Finnish DVB-H licence

Elisa Corporation, Digita Oy, TeliaSonera Finland Oyj and Telemast Nordic Oy have informed the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications that they are interested in applying for the nationwide DVb-H licence.

Applicants needed to inform the ministry of their interest by the end of November. Final applications must be submitted at the end of January.