Fundamental Considerations

for the Deployment of DTT Transmission Facilities in South

Africa

F.Lindeque Pr. TechGroup Executive : Network Services

Sentech Ltd

BackgroundSentech is the common carrier broadcasting signal distributor in South Africa – state owned but commercially run.Operating a number of national networks of analogue terrestrial TV & FM transmitters.DTH digital satellite.FM Network – 11 official languages –average of 80% of population.204 remote site - 1400+ medium/high power transmitters.Tests on DAB.Tests on DTT.Obtained a CoC (Carrier of Carriers) as well as MM (Multimedia) licenses in 2002 – bridging the digital divide.

Public TV Broadcast Services

Service Coverage FormatSABC 1 89% *Terrestrial

Analogue*Satellite digital

SABC 2 91% *Terrestrial Analogue

*Satellite digitalSABC 3 77% *Terrestrial

Analogue*Satellite digital

Public Broadcast Services

At least 3 million households do not own TV sets (could be as high as 5 million).

Impact on at least 15 million people.

Effective access to PB TV services is at best between 60 to 70%.

Band Planning

Unlike European countries in Region 1 where re-planning of spectrum is essential to ensure orderly deployment of DTT, a complete band re-plan in South Africa is not a priority due to the current level of spectrum utilization, effective management, and regional coordination requirements.

Band Planning (cont.)The foremost consideration in South Africa is to initially reserve and apply spectrum capacity for the migration of Public broadcasting television services-specifically initiating the Metro areas.

Currently DTT replication of existing analogue this can be achieved without disruption to the existing analogue transmissions.

ConsiderationsSocial needs/expectations.End to end service provision.Limited spectrum in metropolitan areasAffordability of STB’s.Acceptance of new technology.Cost factors for installing new networks.Migration period of 10 to 15 years.

New PBS PlatformIntroduction of new regional services.Launch combination of DTT and DTH.DTH initially metropolitan areas with evolutionary expansion.DTH to Viewing centers, MPCC’s. Schools etc.Protection of existing analogue PBS.Replicate existing analogue coverage.Migration period 10 to 15 years.Coastline-simplifies spectrum availability and co-ordination. Southern African states same plan-low spectral utilization.

Spectrum Consideration

Retain GE 89 Television plan and use spare allocations on this plan.Viewers shall then use same receive antennas.Spectrum is limited in metropolitan areas.Sufficient to launch DTT.Moratorium on analogue .Importance of effective planning and management.Preserve resource capacity for PBS & migration to digital.

Technology ChoicesTelevision

ANALOGUE TERRESTRIAL COVERAGE:

( % population)

SATELLITE DTH COVERAGE:

(% population)

90% 100%

Terrestrial Expansion Considerations

PBS to be protected against interference during migration. Moratorium on new analogue networks.Deploy DTT platforms from the same high sites.No disruption of current analogue services.Best chance of non-interference – SFN’s.Replication of existing analogue services.Expansion of existing PBS networks can be done on analogue(rural areas).New networks have to be digital.UHF spectrum available in rural areas.

PBS: Analogue to DTT - Essence of Successful

MigrationHas to be in line with government policy.Extensive use of latest technology.Affordability.Reserve existing available spectrum.Ensure minimum interference on all analogue services during implementation.Ensure minimum discomfort for viewers.Success of workable strategy, network roll-out and approach.“Basic services on basic platforms in basic places”.

Workable roll-out strategy Co-ordinate with other government initiatives.Integrated approach for rural areas. Terrestrial services will be complimented by satellite DTH.DTT, DAB and DRM will not provide quick fixes.FM will remain for years to comeDAB complementary to FM and for niche market initially.Deliver services in more innovative, effective and efficient ways.End to end service provision

End-to-End Service Provision

The portion of the population most desperate for access simply cannot afford receive equipment.

Key challenges is to provide a means of receiving DTT/DAB services.

ConclusionCurrent band plan should not be changed for South Africa. Need time to roll out new platforms.New technology platforms (DTT) to be established for regional services.Migration to DTT to be started soon.Migration will take 10 to 15 years and need to have little impact on current analogue services.DTT and DTH to be used in complementary capacity to provide regional services.Interference to the consumer to be minimized.STB’s and reception facilities to be established for PBS.

Thank you