MIGRATION FROM ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL BROADCASTING

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MIGRATION FROM ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL
BROADCASTING

• PRESENTED BY
• MACRA
• M.F.F. KUNTIYA Acting Director General
• L.L. MOMBA Spectrum Planning Manager

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ANALOGUE BROADCASTING

• All sound is indeed analogue thus a human ear is
  able to understand analogue signals.
• Terrestrial analogue broadcasting consist of two
  important segments
• - Broadcasting studio
• - Transmitter
• Analogue transmitter receives the analogue signal
  and process it to the required level then
  transmit at the power level determined by the
  transmitter power and antennae gain.

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NETWORK CONFIGURATION FOR TERRESTRIAL ANALOGUE
BROADCAST
TRANSPONDER
PSTN/ COAXIAL CABLE
STUDIO PREMISES
TRANSMITTING STATION
FOR WIDE COVERAGE
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DIGITAL BROADCASTING

• Terrestrial digital broadcasting also comprises
  of both studio equipment and transmission
  equipment.
• The studio comprises any of the following source
  equipment
• Microphones, Compact disks (CD), Digital Audio
  Tapes (DAT), Satellite receivers, Hard disk audio
  systems.
• All these source equipment are connected to a
  digital on air console.

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DIGITAL BROADCASTING contd

• The output signal from the mixer is the digital
  signal which is routed to digital transmitters.
• Transmission may be in any of the three
  broadcasting modes
• - Terrestrial (free to air).
• - Cable Television (Pay TV)
• - Satellite Television (DTH Direct To Home
• i.e. DSTV.
• The Studio to Transmitter Link (STL) may either
  be Optic fibre or Digital exciters.

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Block Diagram of Terrestrial Digital Broadcast
Analogue Transmitter
D
A
Satellite Link/Optic fibre
DSP Console
A
Digital signal
D
Digital Transmitter
Digital interface
Mini Disc
CD
DVD
Transmitting Station
Broadcasting Studio
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DIGITAL SYSTEMS

• Three digital television systems have been
  developed
• - ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital
  Broadcasting - System C)
• - DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting - System B)
• - ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee -
  System A)
• Malawi as part of ITU region 1 has adopted DVB-T
  system as agreed at the Regional Radio Conference
  (RRC 2006) to replace the analogue system (GE 89)
  currently in use.

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DIGITAL SYSTEMS contd

• There are three reception modes applicable to
  DVB-T
• - Portable reception (indoor/outdoor)
• - Fixed reception (roof top)
• - Mobile reception
• - DVB-T is in the VHF band 3 for TV broadcasting
  spanning the spectrum range 174 MHz 230 MHz
  i.e. channels 5 -12.
• - Channel 10 is not assigned while 11 and 12 are
  for digital sound broadcasting.

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DIGITAL SYSTEMS contd

• Three systems for digital sound broadcasting have
  been developed
• - DTSB (Digital Terrestrial Sound Broadcasting)
• - T-DAB (Terrestrial Digital Audio
  Broadcasting)
• - ISDB-TSB (Integrated Services Digital
  Broadcasting)
• T-DAB has been adopted to be implemented in the
  planning area of ITU region one which covers
  Malawi. T-DAB will share operating frequency
  range in Band 3 with DVB-T

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DIGITAL SYSTEMS contd

• DVB-T has been adopted to be used in Malawi and
  the planning area of ITU region 1 mainly because
• - Currently it is the widely implemented system
  in Europe thus guaranteeing the availability of
  receivers.
• - It is capable of coping adjacent channels to
  analogue transmission.
• - It will ease the network design for signal
  distributors because of its compatibility with
  DVB-S.
• - DVB-S is the de-facto world wide standard for
  satellite broadcasting.
• - European countries started to implement DVB-T
  1995.

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DIGITAL SYSTEMS contd

• DVB-T and T-DAB applications are most prevalent
  in Europe and Asia.
• In Africa (ITU region 1) trials are being done
  in South Africa, Senegal, Mauritius, Seychelles
  among other countries.
• Frequency spectrum migration for TV will involve
  the existing bands DVB T i.e. Band 3 (174 230
  MHz) and Band 4 5 (470 862 MHz).
• Radio T-DAB (Band 3), new band new services
  co-existing with existing MW, SW ,and FM
  services.

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DIGITAL SYSTEMS contd

• The SADC region has reserved channels 64 69
  i.e. 814 862 MHz in the planning for digital
  broadcasting.
• Introduction of digital broadcasting will thus
  result in the creation of a 48 MHz free spectrum
  that has been earmarked for other services i.e.
  Fixed Wireless Access (FWA).
• New digital bands will therefore cover
• - DVB-T band 3 channels 5 9 (174 214 MHz)
• - T-DAB band 3 channels 11-12 (214 238 MHz
• because of the 8 MHz channel spacing used
  in Malawi).
• - DVB-T band 4 5 channels 21 -63 (470 814
  MHz).

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WHY DIGITAL BROADCASTING

• Editing in the digital domain in broadcasting
  studios is much faster and safer as compared to
  analogue.
• Built in error correction facility of digital
  systems insures exact copy of the source material
  transmitted is received.
• Power consumption of transmitters is very low and
  mobile TV services will be available.
• Digital TV provides high picture quality and
  supports value added service i.e. interactive
  services (video on demand).

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WHY DIGITAL BROADCASTING

• Analogue information occupy large studio
  libraries while storage in digital format
  occupies less space.
• Efficiency spectrum usage i.e. Digital techniques
  allow four transmission channel to be filled in
  the space occupied by one analogue transmission
  channel. The multiple gain can be typically of
  41 to 101 depending on the quality required.
• Digital broadcasting offers more channels thus
  more revenue for operators and more choice of
  programmes for viewers.

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DIGITAL vs ANALOGUE
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Some Digital Broadcasting Applications

• Digital Radio

• DTV

• DVB-H

• 3G

• WIFI / WIMAX

• DRM

• DMB

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IMPLICATIONS OF DIGITAL BROADCASTING

• Replacement of all analogue TV transmitters with
  digital transmitters.
• Upgrading the huge installed base of analogue
  receivers by introducing STB (Set Top Box)
• The cause impact is not only economic but also
  social and political.
• It affects all segments in the broadcasting value
  chain, namely content production, transmission
  and reception.

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KEY QUESTIONS

• Some of the Key questions to be asked during the
  migration period
• When to stop analogue broadcasting and introduce
  digital broadcasting? (SADC deadline is 2015 but
  systems can coexist within this period i.e.
  Double Illumination / Simulcasting).
• How much will the exercise cost?
• - Planning exercise.
• - Cost of analogue transmitters to be
  switched-off.
• - Cost of receivers (STB).

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KEY QUESTIONS contd

• Shall we wait until good number of receivers are
  available in the market?
• Shall we implement the process in phases or in a
  national flat out format?
• How many broadcasters are ready for the
  transition?
• What is the level of awareness of the general
  public regarding the issues of migration and what
  is the socio-economic impact?

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KEY PLAYERS

• Regulators
• Providing a licensing framework that will
  encourage digital broadcasters.
• Policy makers
• - Providing a good and deliberate policy to
  encourage digital broadcasting especially on the
  network competition versus number of operators,
  roll out calendar and road map.
• Broadcasters
• - Providing innovative programmes to attract
  listeners/viewers.
• Viewers/Listeners
• - Readiness and willingness to adopt and change.

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THE KEY ELEMENT

• The key element in the migration process lies in
  a coordinated approach. Successful switchover
  will be facilitated by coordinated actions from
  all key players involved.
• Efficient frequency planning will account for
  smooth transition from analogue to digital
  broadcasting.
• Frequency planning should
• Protect existing and planned analogue
  broadcasting stations.
• Be flexible and forward looking to cover future
  developments and frequency spectrum requirements.
• Provide a framework to satisfy individual
  requirements on an equitable basis.

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CHALLENGES

• Availability of funds and professional capacity
  in all stakeholders institutions to institute
  the change.
• Upgrading analogue studios to be fully digitised.
• Establishment of policies and flexible licensing
  framework which will encourage digital
  broadcasting.
• Maintaining compatibility and protection among
  analogue broadcasting and digital broadcasting
  during transition period.

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CHALLENGES contd

• The switchover date (2015). Transition period
  will be difficult since we are not controlling
  the prices of digital broadcast
  equipment/receivers.
• The actual duration of the transition period i.e.
  when can broadcasters be ready to start double
  illumination / simulcasting.
• Sensitization and general public awareness on the
  implications of the migration as well as the
  socio-economic impact that will come as a result
  of this change. The public needs to be clearly
  aware of its role.

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WAY FORWARD

• Submission of frequency spectrum planning to ITU.
• Coordinating and harmonising frequency
  assignments/ allotments near the borders with
  neighbouring countries i.e. Zambia, Mozambique
  and Tanzania.
• Migration stakeholders conference and information
  campaign on the introduction of terrestrial
  digital broadcasting
• - Stakeholders conference has been lined up.
• - Need to revise the Communications Act and
  Communications Sector Policy Statement to
  encompass all aspects of terrestrial digital
  broadcasting

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RECOMMENDATIONS

• Broadcasters with larger coverage area should be
  given some leeway i.e. being the last to switch
  off analogue transmission.
• Tight switch off timeframe is not appropriate for
  Malawi as well as the African Broadcast Area
  (ABA) since we do not control the market,
  equipment sources or prices.
• There is need for the regulator to set timeframe
  for migration to digital which should be reviewed
  from time to time depending on the developments
  within the society, external factors,
  broadcasters and listeners response.

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RECOMMENDATIONS contd

• The licensing framework should provide incentives
  for broadcasters to enhance migration to digital
  broadcasting.
• The incentives should also be based on additional
  services offered over the basic broadcast
  services to facilitate faster response of
  customers.
• All partners in the migration process need to be
  involved. These include Government, content
  producers, listeners and viewers.
• Public service broadcasting should continue in
  the digital environment to play its social role
  and serve all population groups.

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RECOMMENDATIONS contd

• 7. Broadcasters need to be aware that any
  procurements of terrestrial analogue transmitters
  should ensure that, the equipment is upgradeable
  to digital broadcasting.
• Broadcasters should invest in the aspect of
  capacity building and human resource development
  by ensuring necessary training in all critical
  skill areas.
• Stakeholders should learn from best practices
  within the region (from countries currently doing
  digital broadcasting trials) as well as from the
  developed countries i.e. European community that
  falls in the same ITU region 1.

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END PIECE
Thank you for your attention