DigiTAG

Web Letter

October 2009

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.

Interest for DVB-T2 in Europe

Final preparations are underway in the United Kingdom for the launch of HDTV services on the DTT platform using the DVB-T2 standard. On 2 December, the transmitter on Winter Hill, serving the cities of Manchester and Liverpool, will begin broadcasting services using DVB-T2. Elsewhere, two multiplexes using DVB-T2 are set to launch in Finland in 2010 while several other countries have announced plans to begin DVB-T2 trials.

In many countries, capacity is not yet available to launch new broadcasting services since frequencies are fully used to simulcast both analogue and digital services. Nearly all countries that have currently shown an interest in DVB-T2 are those that have completed analogue switch-off. However, as more countries complete digital switchover, it can be expected that interest in launching services using the DVB-T2 standard will increase. With most countries in Europe planning to complete analogue switch-off by 2012, it can be expected that services using DVB-T2 will launch between 2012 and 2015.

The frequency bands used for DVB-T2 may vary between countries. While the United Kingdom will use frequencies in the UHF band, Finland will use frequencies in the VHF band. Other Nordic countries may also opt to engineer DVB-T2 networks in their VHF band.

DVB-T2 in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, one of the six DTT multiplexes, Multiplex B, will launch HDTV services using the DVB-T2 standard in combination with MPEG-4 AVC compression technology. Operated by the BBC, this multiplex will offer four HD services (BBC HD, ITV HD, Channel 4 HD/S4C HD, Five) with the possibility for a fifth service to be launched at a later date should MPEG-4 AVC codec efficiency improve as is expected.

In early October, the communications regulator Ofcom announced that the transmission mode used will be able to achieve a capacity of 40 Mbit/s per multiplex. However, because Multiplex B is one of the two DTT multiplexes offering public service content, it must reach 98.5% of the population by the time analogue switch-off is completed at the end of 2012. Ofcom has therefore reserved the option of switching to a slightly more robust transmission mode which achieves 36 Mbit/s but with a greater coverage area should it not be possible to reach the required population coverage.

The roll-out of Multiplex B is synchronized with the analogue switch-off calendar: regions will switch on Multiplex B at the same date as they complete analogue switch-off. In those areas where analogue switch-off has already been completed, Multiplex B will launch by the end of 2010. In several large urban areas where analogue switch-off is not planned for completion until 2012, DVB-T2 will launch using temporary frequencies. This will allow DVB-T2 to launch in London by the end of 2009 and in Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Leeds / Bradford in spring 2010.

It is expected that by the time of the Football World Cup in South Africa in June 2010, the coverage for HD services on the DTT platform will have reached 50% of the population. While some DVB-T2 devices may be ready in time for the service launch at the end of 2009, it is expected that most major manufacturers will launch their products around March 2010. Interestingly, both DVB-T2 set-top boxes and integrated television sets will be available.

Finland prepares its DVB-T2 launch

Last July, the Ministry of Transport and Communications issued a license to the telecom operator DNA Oy for the operation of two multiplexes in the VHF frequency band using the DVB-T2 standard. The launch of services is expected to take place by the end of 2010 and should be available to at least 60% of the population, including in the cities of Helsinki and Turku.

DNA Oy plans on launching a pay platform offering between 8 – 10 HD services using a combination of DVB-T2 and MPEG-4 AVC. It is currently in the process of negotiating with content providers but expects that it will offer some services that are similar to those already present in standard-definition on the DVB-T platform. To increase its service offering, DNA Oy plans to include an IP connection on all of the set-top boxes distributed to subscribers. This will allow for the provision of such services as video-on-demand and hybrid broadband / broadcasting. Set-top boxes will also include storage capabilities (PVR).

The decision to allocate the DVB-T2 license to DNY Oy has taken many by surprise since DNA Oy is primarily a mobile telecom operator and will need to develop a network for the provision of broadcast television services. However, the Ministry sought to increase the competition in the broadcast network market which has been dominated by the operator Digita.

Current DVB-T2 trials

Several countries across Europe have begun undertaking trials using DVB-T2. Trials are currently underway in northern Germany, Spain, and in Italy while both Sweden and Austria have announced plans for trials.

In Austria, the broadcast network operator ORS has announced that it will trial DVB-T2 in early 2010 in the city of Vienna. The trial will consist of two parts. In the first part, various transmission parameters will be tested while in the second part of the trial, “friendly household” will be able to test the available services from June to August 2010. The trial will offer 3 HDTV services, 2 SDTV services and 4 radio services. According to ORS, DVB-T2 offers a unique opportunity to offer HD services on the DTT platform especially those of the public service broadcaster ORF whose HD services are currently only available to cable and satellite viewers.

In Sweden, the broadcast network operator Teracom has announced that it will begin extensive DVB-T2 trials this autumn. As a first step, Teracom will undertake tests in a laboratory environment using a channel simulator. These tests will be followed by field trials in the Stockholm area and in Uppsala. One trial will consist of DVB-T2 testing in the VHF frequency band. As part of the trial, Teracom will compare the coverage of DVB-T2 with that of DVB-T.

In many countries, the interest in the DVB-T2 standard has arisen from the need to offer HDTV services on the DTT platform. However, this may not be the case for all countries where it has already been possible to offer HDTV services using the DVB-T standard. Such countries may choose to implement DVB-T2 for other types of service offerings.

DigiTAG DVB-T2 Handbook

DigiTAG has issued a Handbook on DVB-T2 with the aim of provide a wider understanding of the DVB-T2 standard to encompass issues beyond the technology.

It addresses the key technical, business, and regulatory issues that must be taken into consideration by the broadcast industry when contemplating a launch of services using the DVB-T2 standard. It can be downloaded for free from the DigiTAG website.

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 access to the full articles archive, please go to DigiTAG News

DigiTAG Annual Public Seminar

DigiTAG will host its next annual public seminar at the EBU headquarters on 17 November from 11.00 - 17.00.

The seminar will cover some of the key issues affecting the DTT market including analogue switch-off, the digital dividend, and DVB-T2. For further information, please see the seminar agenda.

DigiTAG members are also invited to attend the General Assembly that will precede the annual public seminar.

You can register for the seminar on the DigiTAG website. Please note that non-members are required to pay a participation fee.

Spain - 70% DTT penetration

According to the latest information published by Impulsa TDT, DTT penetration reached 70% of households at the end of September 2009.

A total of 21.8 million DTT receivers have been sold in Spain since the re-launch of DTT services in November 2005. Of these, 6.5 million were sold in the period from January to August 2009. However, in this same period, over 78,000 analogue television sets were also sold.

Source: Impulsa TDT newsletter

Italy - ASO completed in western Piedmont

Analogue switch-off has been completed in most parts of the two provinces of Turin and Cuneo, including the major cities, on 7 October.

The analogue switch-off process began in May when two analogue channels, Rete 4 and RAI 2, were switched off in the region.

The first phase of analogue switch-off has begun in the provinces of Naples, Salerno, and Caserta. The analogue channels of Rai 2 and Rete 4 have been switched off.

Source: DGTVi website

France - 43.1% DTT penetration

Figures published by the CSA show that 70.3% of all television households in France access digital television services on at least one television set.

A total of 43.1% of households, or 11.5 million households, rely exclusively on the DTT platform for their primary television reception. In addition, 39% of households have converted all of their television sets to digital.

Because of its offer of free-to-air services, the DTT platform remains the fastest growing digital platform in France.

Source: CSA website

Sweden - Teracom begins deployment of MUX 6

The broadcast network operator Teracom has announced that it will begin the deployment of the 6th DTT multiplex.

Unlike the other multiplexes on the DTT platform, Multiplex 6 will use the MPEG-4 AVC compression format. New services on this multiplex could be launched before the end of the year.

Source: TEO press release

Germany - Launch of pay-DTT platform in Stuttgart

Pay-DTT services officially began in Stuttgart on 15 October. The new service, Viseo+, is offered by the satellite operator Eutelsat and the commercial broadcaster RTL.

Viseo+ offers viewers access to 4 free-to-air (RTL, Vox, RTL II, Super RTL) and 2 pay (Crime, Passion) television programme services from RTL.

A similar service is expected to launch in the region of Leipzig/Halle by the end of the year.

Source: RTL press release

Hungary - NIH claims MinDigTV fails to meet DTT license obligation

The National Communications Authority, NIH, has imposed a fine of HUF 40 million (€150,000) on the DTT platform operator Antenna Hungaria, for its alleged failure to meet its license obligations.

Antenna Hungaria has refuted the claims made by NIH and has announced that it will appeal this decision.

Source: NIH website