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DigiTAGWeb LetterSeptember 2007 | # 63 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.To subscribe to the DigiTAG Web Letter, send an email to the DigiTAG Project Office. Analogue switch-off in Finland
On 1 September, Finland switched off its analogue terrestrial television network. This makes Finland the third country in Europe, after the Netherlands and Luxembourg, to complete the digital switchover of the terrestrial platform. At approximately 4 am, the Finnish network operator Digita stopped analogue transmissions at 140 main transmitters and 600 relay stations from a single site in Pasila, Helsinki, the Network Maintenance Centre, using a remotely driven system. The entire process took approximately one minute. Following switch-off, one analogue text service continued to be broadcast to provide viewers with information about digital switchover. This broadcast lasted for only one week. Most countries have opted for a phased approach to analogue switch-off, with the process taking place region by region and analogue channels progressively turned off. In contrast, Finland switched off the entirety of its analogue platform throughout the country in a single instance. Although a much riskier endeavour, it has allowed the government to provide equitable access to the digital terrestrial platform for all viewers. Preparing for analogue switch-off
The Ministry of Transport and Communications took the responsibility for leading the information activities with significant support from the broadcasters on the analogue terrestrial platform and the network operator Digita. In 2003, the Ministry set-up a special communications group to ensure the dissemination of information on digital switchover. As part of the communications effort, information was made available to viewers via brochures, advertisements in the media funded by terrestrial broadcasters, and Internet portals. In addition, a special bus tour made various stops across the country to provide viewers with further information and answer queries on switchover. In December 2003, broadcasters, manufacturers and the network operator Digita, also set up a customer help service, DigiTV, to provide information on digital switchover. DigiTV answers customer queries on switchover via telephone and email. The Ministry set up a digital switchover coordination group TV2007 in February 2006, with representatives from the broadcasters MTV3, Swelcom (Nelonen) and YLE, as well as the network operator Digita. The key aim of TV2007 was to help the elderly install their digital receivers. However, TV2007 also provided information to public entities such as schools and hospitals, coordinated with public authorities and organised national information service desks. It also served as a coordination point between the key players in the digital broadcasting environment. The activities of both the communications group and TV2007 were funded by the government. Initial viewer reaction to switch-off
The DigiTV call centre received over 4000 calls in the first weekend following analogue switch-off, of which it responded to 1400. While the average length of a call had previously lasted 4 minutes, calls made during the first weekend lasted between 10-15 minutes, with some calls taking up to 30 minutes to resolve. Many of the callers requested thorough guidance on how to install their DTT equipment. Others also needed information regarding aerial reception and recording television programmes. In anticipation of an increased number of viewer queries, the public service broadcaster YLE set up a temporary phone service which responded to 600 callers. Similarly, cable operators increased the staffing of their phone services in order to handle the expected number of calls. The Internet also proved to be an important source of information for viewers. The DigiTV website (www.digitv.fi) received over 65,000 unique visitors in the week following analogue switch-off while Digita reported over 16,000 unique visitors to its coverage maps. Between 30 August and 1 September, the Ministry of Transport and Communications set up an information desk in Helsinki to help answer questions about digital switchover. Its staff, which included employees from the Ministry, Digita, broadcast organisations, and cable operators, helped 3000 visitors. Next steps
The roll-out of the new relay transmitters will take place this Autumn and work is expected to be completed by the end of the year. However, the building schedule is dependent upon equipment deliveries and frequency coordination. Because the new services offered by the public service broadcaster YLE are only available in digital format and cannot be down-converted to analogue, it has been necessary for analogue cable households to either convert to digital cable or to purchase DTT receivers in order to receive the full range of programmes. As it has proven difficult to convert these households, the government has extended the deadline for their digital switchover until February 2008, thus leaving YLE programmes available in analogue form on the cable platform. It will be possible to down-convert the digital programmes from some of the commercial broadcasters, MTV3, Nelonen, SubTV and Urheilukanava, until February 2008. Benefits of digital switchover
In addition, a fourth multiplex offers mobile television services using the DVB-H standard and a regional multiplex along the west coast offers Swedish language services. As a direct result of analogue switch-off, it has been possible to launch a fifth multiplex offering 7 additional pay-DTT services. This multiplex has been launched by region, with the first region offering services from the afternoon of 1 September and with coverage extended to 63% of the population by the evening of 2 September. The fifth multiplex will be accessible to 80% of the population by early October. As part of the Geneva 2006 Agreement, nine DVB-T coverage layers have been allocated to Finland. While 5 have been allocated for DVB-T and DVB-H services, it is not known at this time how the government will consider allocating the remaining 4 coverage layers.
About DigiTAGDigiTAG 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.Visit the DigiTAG websitePlease contact the DigiTAG office if you have any news that you would like to include in the next DigiTAG Web Letter.To unsubscribe from the DigiTAG Web Letter, please click here and put 'UNSUBSCRIBE' in the subject title of your email. |
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DTT NEWS ROUND-UPFor access to the full articles archive, please go to DigiTAG News Andorra - ASO on 25 SeptemberThe Principality of Andorra, a small country located in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain, will switch off its analogue terrestrial television platform on September 25 at 11.00. Three DTT multiplexes offer viewers such television programme services as 3/24, Telecinco, Arte, RTP Internacional, BBC World, ATV, TV3, RTVE's La 2, TF1, M6, K3, RTVE's La Primera, Antena 3, France 2 and France 3. Source: Rapid TV NewsUnited Kingdom - DTV penetration reaches 84%The broadcast regulator Ofcom has published its digital television update for the three month period ending in June 2007. During the second quarter of 2007, a total of 1.9 million DTT receivers were sold, of which IDTVs accounted for over 900,000 units. DTT is the most commonly used television platform, with 9.1 million households relying on the platform for their main television reception. The number of DTT households increased by 763,000 in the second quarter of 2007. Source: Ofcom websiteSpain - 5.78 million DTT receivers soldThe latest figures published by the DTT promotions organisation, Impulsa TDT, show that 5.78 million DTT receivers have been sold in Spain since the launch of DTT services. Of these, 371,000 were sold during the month of July. As of May 2007, DTT penetration stood at 19.4% of the population. Source: Impulsa TDTGermany - Mobile operators agree to DVB-H conditionsThe telecom operators T-Mobile, Vodafone and O2 have agreed to meet the conditions set forward by the regulatory authorities in order to be allocated a DVB-H license. The license is expected to be allocated in October. As part of the regulatory conditions, the telecom operators agree to allow for programme services to be received on non-phone devices and to separate the purchase of television services from telephone services. Source: advanced-television.comFrance - Launch of regional DTT servicesA total of 17 regional television programme services are to be launched on the free-to-air DTT platform throughout France. Previously, these services had only been available on the analogue terrestrial platform. The new services include: Source: La TribuneUnited Kingdom - Ofcom to permit the use of DVB-T 8K modeOfcom has published an updated version of its 'Reference Parameters for Digital Terrestrial Television Transmissions in the United Kingdom'. The document sets out the basic technical characteristics which should be used by the UK's digital terrestrial broadcasters. Ofcom explains that the parameters have been revised to permit the use of the 8K DVB-T transmission mode at specified transmitter sites, with prior Ofcom approval. This change will help facilitate digital switchover at those transmitter sites where, for technical reasons, 8K mode will need to be adopted. Source: Ofcom websiteSpain - Government approves switchover timetableThe Spanish cabinet has approved a proposed digital switchover plan that calls for analogue switch-off to take place in four phases from 2008 until April 2010. In a first phase, analogue switch-off will affect 1% of the population, with switch-off to take place in Soria and A Fonsagrada. By the middle of 2009, 12% of the population will undertake switch-off followed by a further switch-off affecting 32.4% of the population by the end of 2009. Source: advanced-television.comFrance - 118% increase in advertising revenue for DTT platformAccording to the Yacast Institute, the advertising revenue of the broadcasters on the DTT platform have increased by 118% in the past year with advertising revenue reaching EURO 220 million. As a result, broadcasters are expected to increase their programming budgets. Already, the broadcaster TMC has increased its programming budget by 20% while W9 has increased its programming budget by EURO 10 million in 2007. Source: Le Figaro |
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