DigiTAG

Web Letter

April 2006 | # 50

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. The below web letter provides a detailed look at the current digital switchover planning in the United Kingdom.

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

Digital switchover in the UK

At the end of 2005, the United Kingdom had reached a digital television penetration of approximately 70% of all television households, with 25.7% using the digital terrestrial television (DTT) platform (Ofcom Report). With the number of homes relying on the analogue terrestrial platform continually decreasing, preparation for analogue switch-off is well underway. Planning is ambitious since it incorporates not only analogue switch-off but also the increased coverage of DTT services.

Currently reaching 73% of the population, DTT planners would like to enable 98.5% of the population to access the DTT services provided by the public service broadcasters by 2012. This corresponds to the current coverage of analogue terrestrial services. However, final coverage details will be confirmed following the Regional Radiocommunications Conference (RRC) in June 2006.

In September 2005, the Government approved the analogue switch-off timetable proposed by the communications regulator Ofcom. As per the timetable, analogue switch-off will take place by region starting in the northwest of England (Border region) in 2008 and ending in the southeast in 2012. Manchester will be the first metropolis to begin analogue switch-off in 2009. The map shown below outlines the approved timetable:

It is expected that the full conversion from analogue to digital television will take approximately six months in each region. The analogue channel BBC2 will be the first to switch-off in order to make room for the DTT multiplex operated by the BBC. This will allow viewers previously outside of DTT coverage to access services. But it also means that other DTT viewers will need to re-scan their receivers. After one month, the remaining analogue channels will be switched off and replaced by the two remaining public service multiplexes.

The full transmitter network, consisting of 1,154 transmitter sites, will be converted. At each site, analogue equipment must be removed and decommissioned and new digital equipment installed. New transmitter sites may also prove to be necessary. All together, broadcast network operators estimate the cost at approximately £500 million.

Because the conversion will necessitate significant work on transmitter masts that can only take place in good weather between April and October, any prolonged periods of inclement weather during the summer could impact the switchover timetable.

Digital Switchover Programme

Digital switchover will require meticulously detailed planning to take place with the least amount of disruption to viewers. It is for this reason that the Government, Ofcom and Digital UK, the organisation tasked with implementing digital switchover, established the Digital Switchover Programme.

This Programme aims to "switch all television in the UK to digital by the end of 2012; in a way that makes it a simple and positive experience for viewers, and providing appropriate assistance to those who need it." A detailed programme structure outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Government, Ofcom and Digital UK.

Charged by the Prime Minister to deliver digital switchover, the Government's Departments for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Trade and Industry (DTI) are responsible for the overall digital switchover policy. Already, the Government has given approval to the proposed digital switchover timetable. It is also responsible for ensuring that the interests of the elderly and other vulnerable groups continue to be protected.

As the broadcast regulator, Ofcom must ensure that the licences it issues to DTT multiplex operators and commercial broadcasters conform with the Government's switchover policy. Representing UK interests in international frequency planning meetings, Ofcom must ensure the completion of the frequency plan for digital switchover. It is also incumbent upon Ofcom to decide upon the usage of any frequency channels available for re-use following digital switchover.

The public service broadcasters and DTT multiplex operators have set up a not-for-profit organisation, Digital UK, at the request of the Government with responsibility for implementing the digital switchover policy. Specific responsibilities include the coordination of the technical roll-out of the DTT network, communications with the public on digital switchover and liaison with other stakeholders including manufacturers, retailers, digital platform operators, local authorities and consumer groups.

Other stakeholders are involved in the work of the Digital Switchover Programme. Industry stakeholders, including manufacturers, consumer groups and other digital service providers, contribute to the activities of the Programme.

Specific programme plans

Digital UK recognises the importance of information and has put together a detailed communications programme for the next three years. It is estimated that at least £100 million will be spend by on communication activities. A major advertising initiative is set to launch this May and will feature Digit Al, an animated character who will help guide viewers through the digital switchover process.

Communication activities planned include advertisements in the media, posters and two direct mailings sent to household with guides on digital switchover. Region-specific communications will begin in each region 3 years prior to its analogue switch-off. The "digital tick" logo developed by the DTI to certify "digital switchover" compatible equipment will be managed by Digital UK and feature in its publicity. However, all communications activities undertaken by Digital UK must provide impartial support to all digital platforms.

Already, Digital UK has set up a website with information on switchover and the planned timetable. Two telephone helplines, one for all members of the public and the other for those groups eligible for the Government's assistance programmes, also provide direct support to households.

In terms of liaison and coordination, Digital UK will work together with local government officials and groups representing vulnerable segments of the population. It will also provide briefing information on digital switchover to retail staff as well as brochures for distribution to customers.

The Government has not yet announced the details of its help scheme for households with people aged over 75 or with severe disabilities. Further plans will be provided upon completion of the Bolton Digital TV Trial which is examining this issue in northwest England.

Reaction from the Parliamentary Committee

In early April, the House of Commons Committee on Culture, Media and Sport published its report on the digital switchover plans in the United Kingdom. While the Committee supports the switchover programme, it also provides its recommendations for a successful process.

As stated in the report: "The Government's adoption of a firm and early timetable for analogue switch-off is a bold, and some would say brave, decision. The timetable appears to be technically realistic, but if it is to be achieved with minimum disruption and maximum support the process will require timely regulation by Ofcom, effective management by Digital UK and clear leadership by Government."

Among its recommendations, the report calls for the Government and Digital UK to ensure that the public understands the decision for analogue switch-off, the options available and the costs and benefits of the process. It also recommends that a Minister within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport lead the digital switchover process and that the Government reconsiders its current targeted assistance programme, judged to be overly restricted. Finally, the report calls on Ofcom to decide on spectrum allocation without unnecessary delay so as to give certainty to the industries affected.

Ready for switchover

After several years of careful planning and consensus building among all stakeholders involved in the switchover process, DTT planners in the United Kingdom can be commended for their achievements thus far. While a very difficult task lies ahead, important steps to ensure maximum preparedness have already been taken.

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

Denmark - DTT services officially launched

The official launch of DTT services in Denmark took place on 31 March. One multiplex will offer viewers with services from the public service broadcasters TV2 and Danmarks Radio.

These services include TV2/Danmark, DR1, DR2 and a common service for simultaneous sign language interpretation for use during news broadcasts. TV2 and DR1 are both available on the analogue terrestrial platform while DR2 is only available on the cable and satellite platforms.

A further three multiplexes are expected to be launched although dates and services have not been announced.

Source: Danmarks Radio

Czech Republic - New DTT licences attributed

The Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting (RRTV) has allocated six DTT licences to commercial broadcasters. The licences have been awarded to Z1, TV Pohoda, Regionální televizni agentura (RTA), Febio TV, TV Barrandov and Óaka. Over 30 applicants with 40 projects had applied for the licences.

The DTT licence holders are expected to begin broadcasting services within the next 360 days and it is likely that services will begin by the end of the year. The licences are valid for a period of 12 years.

Viewers will be able to access a news services (Z1), a regional service (RTA), a children's service (TV Pohoda), a music service (Óaka) and two generalist services (Febio TV and TV Barrandov).

Source: Czech Business Weekly

Germany - Further DTT launches expected in May

With the upcoming World Cup, further regions in Germany will benefit from the launch of free-to-air DTT services.

Services are expected to begin in the middle to end of May and will offer viewers with access to up to 11 television programme services offered by the public service broadcasters.

Specifically, the areas of Stuttgart, Ludwigshafen, Mannheim, Heidelberg and Kaiserslauten will be able to access DTT services. In addtion, DTT coverage will be extended in the northern part of Germany, Northrein-Westphalia as well in Bavaria.

The launch of DTT services will coincide with the simultaneous switch-off of analogue terrestrial television services. Following the example from the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in December 2005, the state of Hess will completely switch its terrestrial platform from analogue to digital on 29 May.

It is for this reason that publicity campaigns with hotline- and online-support have begun in order to inform viewers about the upcoming analogue switch-off.

Source: SWR.de and T-Systems

France - Government announces ASO in 2011

The Minister of Culture and Communications, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, has announced that France will end its analogue terrestrial television services on 1 January 2011.

Analogue switch-off is expected to take place by region beginning in 2007. Further details on analogue switch-off is expected in the coming weeks.

Already, the DTT association Groupement TNT has proposed that an analogue switch-off trial take place this year with the participation of the broadcast regulator (CSA), Groupement TNT, the Government and Simavelec, the manufacturers' assocation. According to Marc Pallain, president of Groupement TNT, this idea has been favourably received by the Government.

Source: ZDNet.fr

Hong Kong - DTT to launch in 2007

Plans are underway to launch DTT services in Hong Kong. The government will work together with broadcasters to help ensure the smooth launch of DTT services next year.

A new website has been launched as part of a major publicity drive to raise awareness and improve understanding of digital television.

In terms of the DTT offering, viewers will be able to access HDTV and multi-channel broadcast services. Leading broadcasters ATV and TVB have each committed HK $400 million for their services.

If mainland China does not promulgate a national standard by the end of 2006, Hong Kong will adopt the DVB-T standard.

Source: HK Government Information

United Kingdom - ITV to join HD/DTT trial

The broadcaster ITV has announced plans to participate in this summer’s DTT HDTV trial to take place in London. Other broadcasters participating in the trial include BBC, Channel 4 and Channel Five.

The six-month HD/DTT trial will try to gain a better understanding of terrestrial HD broadcasting given the limited amount of frequencies available and will test a range of consumer equipment. The trial will use local frequencies in London based on a test and development licence allocated by the broadcast regulator Ofcom.

Five hundred volunteers will participate in the trial and be able to access a selection of specially recorded HD programming, including live World Cup coverage from Germany.

Source: advanced-television.com

Australia - Broadcaster interest for DTT licences

The newspaper and online publisher Fairfax Holdings is likely to bid for at least one of the two available DTT licences that the government will make available in 2007.

Further interest in the DTT platform has been expressed by Darwin Digital Television Pty. The broadcaster would like to bid for a local DTT service licence. It must do so by the end of the year and should it receive the licence, must launch services by the end of 2007.

Two previous local DTT licences were allocated to broadcasters in the regional Victorian town of Mildura, and Tasmania.

Source: advanced-television.com