Digital Switchover in Slovenia and a way forward

Tomo Žbontar, Igor Funa, Darja Petric-Štrbenk, Meta Pavšek Taškov

Budapest, Hungary

5-7 November 2012

ITU Regional Initiative for Europe on Digital Broadcasting:

Transition to Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting and Digital Dividend

Background

Preparation for Transition Digital Broadcasting Act Simulcast Analogue Switch off Current situation - Lessons Learned Digital Agenda Digital dividend – big bang auction A lot of issues to be solved before auction Auction preparations Possible convergence of services

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Situation in Analog TV Broadcasting

5 national channels: 2 public, 3 commercial

10 regional / local channels

230 transmitting sites needed for 98% population coverage

Most channels (frequencies) from the ST61 plan already used

DVB-T - Allotments and SFN Networks

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Preparation for Transition

Need for new frequency plan for digital broadcasting

Regional Radio Conference Geneva 2006

General approach: Equitable access 7 layers on UHF 1 layer on VHF

Adoption of MPEG-4 (H-264) coding standard in 2006

First regular digital broadcasts at the end of 2006

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Simulcast

70 % coverage of mux A in 2007

Only public channels present in mux A

Adoption of Digital Broadcasting Act in 2007

Adoption of Receiver specifications

MPEG-4 Set Top Boxes available and affordable

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Digital Broadcasting Act

Relations between network operators and broadcasters

Frequencies for one network (multiplex) for PBS without tender

Spare multiplex capacity can be used for commercial purposes

RTV Slovenija (PBS) can not participate in public tender for the second network

Analog Switch-off date set to December 1st 2010

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First Problems

Commercial channels not interested in digital broadcasting because of high additional cost for the same coverage

MPEG-2 Set Top Boxes still on shelves

No MPEG-4 Integrated TV sets yet

Problems with first MPEG-4 Set To Boxes

Some MPEG-4 receivers DID NOT support MPEG-4 audio (AAC)

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Second Network

Public tender for national network in 2008

Norkring was chosen as the operator of the second network

Commercial channels not interested because of high cost

In 2009 mux B network still not operational

End of 2009: state subsidy for digital broadcasting

Commercial TV channels enter mux A

Public tenders for regional/local networks

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Analog Switchoff

September 2010: First network (mux A)

5 national and 5 regional channels, over 90% coverage Second network (mux B)

2 national channels, over 85% coverage

Digital switchover campaign

Call center

December 1st 2010 – most of the analog transmitters were switched off

ASO - No major problem10

Current Situation

Some local broadcasters decided to abandon terrestrial platform because of high cost

Local multiplexes with only one channel

Main commercial channels still on mux A – the only operational multiplex with national coverage

One national channel (TV3) left Slovenia

Second network not operational – operator leaving Slovenia

Less TV channels than before the transition

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Lessons Learned

Digital Broadcasting Act is not enough

Simulcast presents significant additional cost for broadcasters

Receiver specifications need to be very precise

Stick to announced requirements

Networks should start with final technical parameters

Avoid frequent changes of frequencies

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Lessons Learned

Coverage, channels and receivers are not enough

User experience plays an important role

Digital equipment is more complex to set up and use

Digital reception means sharp transition from perfect picture to no picture

Information campaign should reach everybody

Even cheap STBs are expensive for many people

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Digital Agenda

Pillar IV: Fast and ultra-fast Internet access New services such as high definition television or

videoconferencing need much faster internet access than generally available in Europe. To match world leaders like South Korea and Japan, Europe needs download rates of 30 Mbps for all of its citizens and at least 50% of European households subscribing to internet connections above 100 Mbps by 2020. The Digital Agenda aims to turn this ambition into reality by stimulating investments and proposing a comprehensive radio spectrum plan.

Reference: http://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/our-targets/pillar-iv-fast-and-ultra-fast-internet-access

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Digital dividend

Digital dividend

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Big-bang Auction

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A lot of issues to be solved before auction

The amount of spectrum to be auctioned Different license expirations Technological neutrality & competition issues Coverage obligations Evaluation of network costs for different coverage

scenarios Auction model Spectrum caps Protection of broadcasting and other services Cross border coordination Sharing issues Backhaul requirements ..

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Auction preparations

2 – 3 years in average in Europe APEK‘s plan: 1.5 yearsstart January 2012, licences awarded June 2014

Deadline is 1.1.2013

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Possible convergence of services

As mobile operators are becoming pipes for OTT (Over the Top Services)

As terrestrial broadcasting service providers face challenges of high network costs

As content providers face high costs of providing content over terrestrial DTT networks

As both services need more spectrum

Future might be in cooperation between mobile/broadcasting operators and broadcasting content providers

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The End

Thank You Very Much for Your Attention!

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