Slovenia Completed the Analogue Switch-Off
December 7th, 2010
The process of switch-over from analogue to digital signal has been completed in Slovenia on December 1st. The trial switch-off has already been conducted on November 15 th of this year when the transmitter on the location of Beli Križ has been switched off for fifteen (15) minutes. The purpose of that switch-off had been to warn the citizens about the fact that they have only fourteen (14) days left to conduct the necessary preparations for the reception of digital signal. The country will provide assistance for those citizens who are not able to purchase set-top box devices due to financial reasons. The viewers are currently able to access DTT services solely via two national multiplexes, as well as via several local multiplexes.
Source : http://www.digitag.org/
A Round Table Held on the Topic of „Digital Television in Bosnia and Herzegovina “
November 23 rd , 2010
From the 22 nd to the 24 th November, the 7 th International Symposium on Telecommunications "BIHTEL 2010", titled "System Aspects of QoS Management in Multi-Service Networks” has been held in Sarajevo . On the first day of the conference, a round table on "Digital Television in Bosnia and Herzegovina ", which was attended by experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, with the aim of exchanging experiences on the process of switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting, has been held.
2.9 Million Convertible Marks for the Financing of a Part of the Digitalization Project
November 4th , 2010
At its136th session, held on November 2 nd , 2010, upon the proposal of the Ministry of Communications and Transport, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina issued a decision on the use of a part of the funds of the accumulated excess of revenues over expenditures of the Communications Regulatory Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina , in the amount of 2.952 million KM, to finance part of the Project of Digitization of Microwave Links of the Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina (the procurement of transmitters intended to cover the areas of East Sarajevo, Bijeljina, Brcko, Tuzla and Zenica with the digital signal, and the financing of the Project for the development of the radio and television broadcasting system in the area of Mostar).
The Switch-Off of Analogue Television in Croatia
October 5th, 2010
The process of switch-over to digital broadcasting of television program has been completed for the entire territory of the Republic of Croatia . In less than one year, Croatia has been able to complete the process of digitalization with the final switch-off of the analogue signal in Region D4 encompassing the City of Zagreb and the surrounding area, Zagreb, Sisak-Moslavina, as well as parts of Krapina-Zagorje county. Today, at 12:35, the digitalization process has been successfully finalized in accordance with the set deadlines. From this day on, the citizens of this country who have not yet procured and installed the digital receiver or a television with an integrated DTV (digital) module will no longer have the possibility of watching television program, except via the cable network. Unlike all of its neighboring countries, Croatia is using the MPEG-2 format.
Croatia : The Analogue Signal is switched off in the D-8 Region
September 7th, 2010
After the switch-off of the analogue signal in the Split-Dalmatia and part of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County has been moved by 20 (twenty) days due to the summer tourist season, starting tomorrow, this region will also exclusively use the digital terrestrial signal. With the switch-off of the analogue signal in the D8 region, one million households will use the digital terrestrial signal. The program of national broadcasters in this region will be broadcasted via the K-33 channel (MUX A) and K-53 (MUX B). After this step, the only remaining region will be the D4 region, which switch-off of analogue signal has been planned for the fifth of October of this year. Herewith, Croatia will fully complete the process of switch-over from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting.
Source: http://www.telecompaper.com/news/article.aspx?cid=754881
The Testing of DVB-T2 Standard in Slovakia
September 7th, 2010
The Slovak Telecom Office (TUSR) has granted the transmission company Towercom permission to undertake trials of the DVB-2 standard, which presents the second generation DVB terrestrial system. The regulator determined that the period during which these trials can take place is from August 20 until December 31 this year. DVB-H trials for an unspecified period have also been permitted.
The DVB-T2 offers an increase in the efficiency of spectrum use by 30% -50% compared to the already popular DVB-T standard, which has been proven through trial and use in the United Kingdom and now in many other advanced European countries. Thanks to good results, the possibility of using the second generation DVB system is also considered in the developing countries. However, it is still important to stress that the DVB-T2 has not been designed to quickly replace the DVB-T. It is considered that these two standards will coexist for many years.
More information on the DVB-T2 standard: http://www.dvb.org/technology/dvbt2/
Source: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/09/06/dvb-t2-trials-for-slovakia/
Romania : The Canceling of Tender and the Delay of Deadlines
September 1st, 2010
Romania has decided to cancel the current DTT tender and has delayed its date of complete switchover from analogue to digital signal by three years. According to the previous plan, the date of complete switch-off of analogue signal had been January 1 st of 2012, but the actual transition from analogue to digital signal is likely to start just in the year 2014. It is expected that the digital signal would then cover 60% of the population, and this is planned to be achieved through the use of two multiplexes. The new aim is to completely switch-off the analogue signal and hold a tender for the four remaining multiplexes at the beginning of the year 2015 in order to reach the coverage of 95% of the population with the digital signal.
Source: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/08/31/romania-cancels-dtt-tender/
Slovenia : The Second Multiplex Has Been Activated
September 1st, 2010
In Slovenia today, multiplex B, managed by the Norkring Company from Norway, has started operating. This multiplex already covers around 85% of the population with its reception and currently employs 18 (eighteen) transmitting sites. By the end of September, it is expected that eight more sites will be added, whereby the coverage would rise to 87-88% of the population. MUX-B will carry seven national and three regional channels. The process of complete switch-off of analogue signal in Slovenia should start at the beginning of next year.
Source: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/08/31/second-dtt-mux-for-slovenia/
HAKOM Published a Recommendation on the Minimum Technical requirements for the DVB-T Receivers
July 19 th , 2010
The Croatian Post and Electronic Communications Agency (HAKOM) published a "Recommendation on the Minimum Technical Requirements for the Receiver Used to Receive the Digital Terrestrial Television Signal (DVB-T) in the Republic of Croatia ". The recommendation concisely states the technical settings and conditions that the receiver "must" or "can" meet, where the word "may" is used for applications that are not mandatory.
Among the binding items are also the guidelines, which indicate the activities in which the DVB-T receiver has to display the contents of the electronic program guide (EPG), and which data on the broadcasted show the receiver must read and display to the user. It is recommended that the mandatory information presented to the user via the DVB-T receivers contain the name and description, date and the time that the show is aired (duration), as well as information on the appropriate viewing age for the program in question (if the DVB-T receiver has a built-in parental control).
Source: http://www.hakom.hr/default.aspx?id=658
Poland: The Debut of DTT Services is awaited for in September
July 19th, 2010
Digital Terrestrial Television should finally get off the ground in Poland this September, a whole year after the country launched its first multiplex, albeit on a trial basis. In the meantime, what is being awaited is for the government to publish licensing conditions. The first multiplex will initially carry TVP1, TVP2 and TVP Info, along with four additional channels to be chosen by a competition. Meanwhile, the second multiplex will carry two channels each from TVN, Polsat, TV Puls and TV4. The third multiplex will be activated towards the end of October and will initially cover four voivodships that, together, contain at least 58% of the Polish population. TVP1, TVP2 and TVP2 will then move from the first to the third multiplex, to make room for and be replaced by thematic channels. The issue of financing of set-top boxes is also being considered, and various ways and plans are being regarded.
Source: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/
Romania : Seven Offers for the First Two Multiplexes
July 14th, 2010
The regulatory body ANCOM has revealed the identities of seven companies interested in operating Romania 's first two DTT multiplexes. The selection process will be undertaken on a points-based system, with maximum points awarded in the commercial category to applicants who intend to launch within 90 days of securing a license and those who guarantee an additional number of set-top box packages in addition to the 60,000 already set by ANCOM. The four local companies (RCS/RDS, Romtelecom, Radiocom and Media Village ) and the three foreign companies (TDF, ORS and General Satellite) now have until August 31 st to submit their offers. The winner of the license to operate the first multiplex will be announced on September 28 th, and the second multiplex on October 8 th of this year. License fees for the multiplexes will cost between €1 million and €2.5 million, all depending on the number of receivers that the operators will subsidize.
The period of transition to digital broadcasting in Romania will be undertaken in four stages. It has been planned that at least 60% of the population and 50% of the territory be covered initially by the digital signal. If all goes according to plan the switchover from analogue to digital signal should take place on January 1 st , 2012.
Source: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/
2010 FIFA World Cup in a Three-Dimensional Atmosphere
June 2nd, 2010
With the development of digital technology, advances have been made in the field of three-dimensional broadcast which gives the audience a special experience that had not been possible using the analog signal. Digital technology will provide the world's first global 3D experience by broadcasting of the most popular sport - soccer. For the first time on a global scale, the FIFA world soccer organization, and SONY Corporation will allow millions of soccer fans the delight of watching the 3D version of the most attractive matches of this year's FIFA World Cup, which will be held in South Africa . For the 3D enjoyment, 25 games will be shot with Sony HDC professional cameras at five selected stadiums: Soccer City , Ellis Park, Durban , Cape Town and Port Elizabeth . Some of the providers of the 3D broadcast version are already known, among which are ESPN for the area of United States of America and Sogecable in Spain . One of the first free-to-air broadcasters of 3D content for the area of Europe will, on this occasion, be the French broadcaster TF1, which plans to broadcast five matches of the World Cup. The company Aruna Media AG, based in Switzerland , has received the exclusive rights to live 3D coverage of matches in theaters and other public places, and plans to provide such broadcasts in 26 countries. In order to receive a 3D signal, the user should have an appropriate TV package and 3D glasses.
Sources: http://www.digitaltveurope.net/news_articles/june_10/
01_june_10/tf1_preps_3d_world_cup
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/
sony-and-fifa-release-more-details-on-world-cup-2010-3d-broadcas/
THE COUNCIL OF THE COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AGENCY HELD ITS REGULAR SESSION
May 4th, 2010
Today, the Council of the Communications Regulatory Agency (the Agency) held its 39th regular meeting at which, inter alia, adopted the Report on the Work of the Agency for the year 2009.
The Council of the Communications Regulatory Agency also adopted the Information on activities in connection with the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting in Bosnia and Herzegovina . The Council of the Agency welcomed the adoption of the Decision on the Use of Multiplex A, which is intended for public service broadcasters, and supported the Communications Regulatory Agency to continue its work in drafting documents in accordance with the Strategy of Switchover from Analogue to Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting.
Finally, on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, the Council of the Communications Regulatory Agency is joining the efforts to preserve the freedom of the media and calls on all relevant structures of the society to contribute actively to the development of free and professional media in Bosnia and Herzegovina . Given that this year's theme of the World Press Freedom Day is "The Right to Free Access to Information”, the Council of the Communications Regulatory Agency reminds of and points to the universal right of access to information and the guaranteed freedom of their publication. The limitation of the right of access to information is also a limitation of democracy and the development of a modern pluralistic society.
For more information: contact Ms. Amela Odobašić on the following number: 033 250 600 or email address: info@rak.ba
Italy : The Broadcasters Ask to Complete Digital Transition by the End of 2011
May 4th, 2010
The Italian broadcasters' group DGTVi asked the government to bring forward the switch-off of analogue television to digital terrestrial television system with the aim of completing the process in the year 2011. Members of the DGTVi lobby group include broadcasters Mediaset SpA, RAI SpA and Telecom Italia Media SpA. About 68 percent of the Italian population will complete the digitalization process by the end of 2010, as forecasted by DGTVi. According to that plan, the remainder will complete the transition by the year 2012.
Poland : EmiTel Selected to Operate the Third Multiplex
April 28th, 2010
The Polish public broadcaster TVP has officially selected EmiTel as the technical operator of what will be the country's third DTT multiplex. The agreement has been signed for a ten-year period. As part of this agreement, EmiTel will be responsible for the broadcasting of TVP services, including the regionalization of services and the construction and operation of the ICT platform. It has been planned for the third multiplex (MUX 3) to start operating on October 27th, with a gradual coverage of the territory in three stages. The multiplex is expected to broadcast TVP HD and its thematic channels.
Sources: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/04/06/
polish-dtt-edges-forward/
Croatia : Half Way to Complete Switch Off of Analogue TV System
April 27 th , 2010
The analogue signal is switched off in the digital D9 region, which refers to the Dubrovnik area. The Dubrovnik-Neretva County will be the eighth digitized county, that is, the fourth digital region in the Republic of Croatia . The residents who decide to use digital technology will have access to channels: HRT 1, HRT 2, RTL TV, Nova TV, and Capital Network. Those who subscribe to IPTV, cable, and satellite platforms will not lose reception, because their systems have already been digitized.
To date, the process of transition has been successfully completed in a total of seven Croatian counties: Istria and Primorje-Gorski Kotar (Region D5), Varaždin, Međimurje and Koprivnica-Križevci (Region D3) and finally Zadar and Šibenik-Knin (Region D7). More than 410 000 out of a total of 1 477 377 households in the Republic of Croatia were thereby successfully digitalized. The next region to lose their analogue reception is the region D1that includes Eastern Slavonija and Baranja. It has been planned for the analogue signals in that area to be completely switched off on the 25th of May of this year.
Dates for the switch off of analogue TV signal for the remaining regions by allotments:
• D1: May 25th, 2010
• D2: June 29th, 2010
• D6: July 20th, 2010
• D8: August 17th, 2010
• D4: October 5th, 2010
http://www.dubrovniknet.hr/novost.php?page=3&id=8208
Images: http://www.vlada.hr/design/vlada2/dtv/images/karta.jpg
Croatia : Action DTV for All
April 27 th , 2010
At the beginning of the digitalization process, the Central Office for e-Croatia designed the activity DTV FOR ALL. The aim of the action is to provide free advice and assistance to all persons who for whatever reason had difficulties with the transition from analogue to digital television, particularly disabled and elderly persons. The campaign was successful and had a positive response, and this good practice continues in Allotment D9.
Depending on the needs of the region, an appropriate action, activated by the approaching date of switchover to digital television signal, is selected in each individual digital region and takes ten days, or longer if the need arises. For example, as a part of this action, in many regions, due to the small number of outlets for the procurement of digital receivers, information and sale tours have been organized with the aim of helping residents with the procurement, installation and configuration of digital receivers. And in the digital region D3, the action was in the form of a toll-free call center to assist disabled and elderly persons from this area, who experience difficulty installing equipment on their own, with the switchover to digital television.
Image:
Latvia
April 27th, 2010.
The DTT signal now already covers 90% of the Latvian territory, offering the viewers 33 channels, which is not to be the final figure, for the number is planned to rise to an impressive 70 channels following the switch off of the analogue system. Latvia plans to complete the digitalization process with a complete switch off of analogue signal by June 1st of this year.
Sources: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/04/08/
digitisation-gathers-pace-in-latvia/
http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/04/28/dtt-progresses-in-latvia/
Belarus : Beltelecom Plans to Introduce DTT This Year
April 23rd, 2010
According to the Beltelecom officials, DTT services in Belarus are planned to be successfully completed by the end of this year. Particular attention is paid to rural areas where up to 80 % of the population is estimated as being potential users of DTT services. It is expected that the DTT coverage will rise to 95% of the population by only 2015.
Sources: http://www.telegeography.com/cu/article.php?article_id=32898&email=html
http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/04/23/belarus-prepares-for-dtt/
Association Broadcast Networks Europe is Created
April 21st, 2010
Broadcast network operators from 20 different countries have created a new association called Broadcast Networks Europe to represent their interests in multilateral negotiations with EU policy makers and stakeholders, as well as serve as a forum to discuss policy issues of common interest, whether it be spectrum, interference or the long term development of terrestrial networks for TV and radio and broadcast-based new services. Bernard Pauchon (TDF Group), the Chairman of Broadcast Networks Europe considers that the potential offered by the new digital services, the development of additional and innovative terrestrial broadcast services, and the possibility of achieving optimum use of the digital dividend made it obvious that they had a lot to benefit by joining forces. The Broadcast Networks group comprises 12 founding members: Abertis (Spain), Arqiva (United Kingdom), Broadcast Services Denmark (Denmark), Elettronica Industriale (Italy), Norkring (Norway), OIV (Croatia), ORS (Austria), Radiocom (Romania), Rai Way (Italy), Swisscom Broadcast (Switzerland), TDF Group (France) and Teracom (Sweden).
Their web page is: www.broadcast-networks.eu
Sources: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/04/21/dtt-grouping-forms-new-trade-body/
Image: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/founding-board-broadcast-europe.jpg
Serbia : The Action Plan Implementation Process Has Commenced
April 18 th , 2010.
A working group to monitor the process of digitization has been launched, and the development of a preliminary design of a distribution network has been planned. Some activities are behind schedule, of which, as the biggest problem, Irini Reljin (Assistant Minister of Telecommunications of Serbia) underlines the newly established company Emisiona Tehnika i Veze, which has been separated from RTS, and for which a director has still not been appointed, thus prolonging the start of the enterprise's business operations. There are plans to also organize a comprehensive information and promotional campaign. The Minister of Telecommunications and Information Society, Ms. Jasna Mati ć , announced that the test/pilot signal will commence at the end of this year, considering that Serbia has also received a grant for the procurement of equipment.
Sources: http://www.danas.rs/danasrs/drustvo/
zakon_ne_prepoznaje_digitalizaciju.55.html?news_id=188363
http://www.poslednjavest.com/danas-drustvo/zakon-ne-prepoznaje-digitalizaciju.html
http://glassrbije.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57851&Itemid=26
http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2010&mm=04&dd=19&nav_id=425522
Serbia : European Union Provided Financial Support
April 18 th , 2010.
According to the web page Digitag, the European Union has donated eight million Euros to Serbia for the procurement of DTT equipment, and five million euros for technical support and the promotion of the DTT platform. However, a lot of money is required for the restoration and rehabilitation of terrestrial transmitters, as well as the entire distribution network for the broadcasting of a digital TV signal, said Irini Reljin, Assistant Minister of Telecommunications of Serbia. The Ministry also plans to provide national financial assistance to socially endangered/vulnerable persons in the form of procurement of set-top box (STB) devices.
Source : http://www.digitag.org/DTTNews/article.php?Id=3173
Spain : Growing Use of DTT Services
April 16 th , 2010.
According to the figures published by the trade body Impulsa TDT, DTT services are being watched by 89.3% of Spanish households following a 5.7 percentage point increase in the lead up to the completion of analogue switch off on April 2nd. Some 1.2 million receivers were sold during the month of February and it is estimated that a total of 31 million devices were in use by the end of March. The public channels now cover 98.79% of the country with the commercial channels not far behind with coverage of 98.36%. Those who have chosen not to use DTT have the option of cable broadcast (19.2%) or digital satellite (9.1%).
HD test transmissions have started in Madrid and Barcelona . During the test stage, four television channels, TVE HD, Canal+ HD, Telecinco HD and Go TV HD are available in an HD version. These pilot transmissions serve only as technical tests and a license is not guaranteed for these four channels.
Sources: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/04/16/dtt-ahead-after-spanish-aso/
http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/04/06/spain-tests-hd-over-dtt/
Bulgaria : New DTT Tender
April 13 th , 2010.
The Bulgarian regulator, Communications Regulation Commission (CRC), has received a total of seven bids for the operation of what will be the country's public service DTT multiplex. Bulgaria 's Communications Regulation Commission has refused to name the bidders. The future operator of the multiplex will receive a permit for 15 years and will provide DTT services to 12 cities across the country. It is presumed that NURTS, Austria 's ORS, the DTH platform Bulsatcom, Interactive Media Services, Adepto and Tesla Bulgaria are among the possible bidders. It is already determined that Bulgaria 's two national commercial DTT multiplexes are to be operated by Slovakia 's Towercom and Latvia-based Hannu Pro. Bulgaria plans to complete the switch-off of analogue system entirely by December 2012.
Sources: http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=115835
http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/04/13/new-dtt-tender-in-bulgaria/
http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/04/08/financial-boost-for-bulgarian-dtt/
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=115213
Analog TV in Spain finally disappears today
April 2, 2010
91% of the population already receive digital terrestrial television and the remaining 9% will leave the traditional signal throughout the day. A shutdown process had began July 23, 2007 in Soria and had great power outage on Tuesday. With the analogue switch off, about 1.5% of the population living in the so-called shadow zones (those regions which by its terms did not reach digital coverage) will run out to see DTT, although the DTT coverage reaches more sites than the analog arrived. Some regions such as Galicia, with especially complicated terrain, have chosen to subsidize satellite kit needed to capture this signal. The digital transition has three phases ranked by the National Transitional Plan. The transition to DTT has cost 288 million euros, 220 million of which have gone to the regions, either through soft loans (160 million euros) or direct grants (60 million euros).
Source: http://www.myhotnews.net/192/
analog-tv-in-spain-finally-disappears-today/
Picture: http://www.satandpcguy.com/Site/Resources/tdtlogos/tdtlogo.jpg
Sweden calls for HD DTT licences
April 1, 2010
The Swedish Radio and Television Authority (RTVV) has launched a tender for new licences for the country's digital terrestrial platform. The RTVV says applications can be for national, regional or local stations, broadcasting in standard or high definition.
Licences will be awarded at the end of June and will run until March 31, 2014. The RTVV estimates there is enough capacity for two broadcasting networks, most likely transmitting in MPEG-4.
The RTVV is committed to the use of MPEG-4 and DVB-T2 for terrestrial broadcasts.
Source: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/04/01/sweden-calls-for-hd-dtt-licences/
DVB aims for 3D TV standards by year-end
March 31, 2010
The DVB Project has confirmed a programme of work aimed at developing standards for 3D TV. The plan, it said, is to agree the first phase of the 3DTV system (the Phase 1 system) this year. This will allow viewers to keep and use their existing set-top box for 3D broadcasts, although they will require a new 3D TV display.
The DVB Project has established two groups of specialists led by David Wood of the European Broadcasting Union and David Daniels from BSkyB. The first group is currently preparing the commercial requirements for 3DTV. The second will respond with a technology that will meet the requirements. The DVB commercial experts are discussing a Phase 2 system, which may be needed to meet other requirements, the DVB Project said. There may be the need for existing receivers to have available a 2D version of the same programme as part of the 3DTV channel, or the need for viewers to be able to adjust the picture depth for maximum eye comfort.
Picture: http://www.abinesh.com/delirium/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/3d-tv.jpg
Slovak DTT rollout on track
March 22, 2010
Slovakia's recently launch DTT service aims to reach 91.5% of the population by the end of this month and 93.9% by the end of June.
The figures are higher than initial minimum coverage targets, were given by Peter Valentovic, Towercom's technical director and deputy DG, in a presentation to dealers and quoted in Zive.
He added that both the second and third multiplexes, allocated to commercial and public TV services respectively, are scheduled to launch on June 30 this year.
Source: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/03/22/
slovak-dtt-rollout-on-track/
Lattelecom mulls free decoder plan
March 10, 2010
Latvian telco Lattelecom plans to offer free digital decoders to up to 70,000 low-income households on the condition that it is granted an extension of its digital-terrestrial TV broadcasting rights to 2018, according to press reports.
Lattelecom currently holds DTT rights up to 2013. The operator reportedly had signed up about 30,000 digital-terrestrial customers by late January.
Source: http://www.digitaltveurope.net/news_articles/mar_10/10_mar_10/
lattelecom_mulls_free_decoder_plan
Pink secures Slovenian DTT carriage
March 10, 2010
Pink SI has become the first broadcaster to sign up for carriage on what will be Slovenia's second DTT multiplex. This follows an agreement reached between Pink SI, which is part of the Serbian Pink TV group, and Norkring International's Norkring, the multiplex's operator. The second multiplex (B) will be allocated to commercial stations, contracts with which are likely to be signed by Norkring within a matter of weeks. The first Multiplex (A), which is already up and running, is for the sole use of the national public broadcaster RTV Slovenia.
Source: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/03/10/
pink-secures-slovenian-dtt-carriage/
Euro cable: Digital outstrips analogue
March 5, 2010
New industry figures revealed at Cable Congress 2010 in Brussels indicate continued strong growth from Europe's preferred distribution platform for telephone, television and high-speed broadband Internet services. A new milestone was reached in the digital transition as for the first time ever, digital cable TV revenues outstripped analogue revenues in latest YE2009 Screen Digest figures.
"We're seeing a real lift-off as our industry goes digital," says Cable Europe Managing Director, Caroline Van Weede. "As analogue growth tails off, it makes room for the strong growth we're seeing in digital TV as well as positive high speed broadband revenue. Video on Demand is clearly here to stay and with 18 per cent growth in revenues makes a strong case for future offers of easy access easily accessible legal content with fibre-speed."
Source: http://www.advanced-television.com/2010/mar1_mar5.htm#h2
Cardiff begins TV switchover
March 3, 2010
Viewers in the Welsh capital began the switchover from analogue to digital TV during the early hours of today (Wednesday).
The Wenvoe transmitter group – which covers Cardiff, Newport and south east Wales – is switching to digital in two stages.
Today BBC Two will go digital only and some new digital channels will become available.
Then on 31 March all the remaining analogue channels will switch to digital and the remaining digital channels will become available. Once complete it will make Wales the first UK nation to complete the switchover to digital TV. The West Country, Border and Granada TV areas have already completed the switchover.
Source: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consumer/2010/03/
cardiff-prepares-for-tv-switchover/
AUSTRALIA INVESTS 23 BILLION EUROS IN THE INTERNET
Australia
07/04/2009
The Australian government will build national broadband internet network of great speed, which will cost 43 billion australian dollars or 23 billion euros.The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said that this is the biggest state project which will provide 37.000 work places and help the weakened economy.
The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called for private companies to join the new firm and build netwok with the transmission speed of 100 Mbit/s, fast enough to download several movies at the same time. Australia has slower and more expensive internet service than most of developed countries, which endangers her business competition. The plan is that almost every house should be connected by the optic cable is the biggest infrastructure project in history.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/technology/internet/
08broadband.html?_r=1&ref=technology
SUBREGIONAL SEMINAR ITU AND ROUND TABLE FOR CEE
Serbia
03/04/2009
Subregional seminar ITU and round table on the theme of transmission process from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting in Central and East Europe, will be held from 27 to 29 April in the National assembly of the Republic of Serbia. This meeting was organized by the ITU and the Ministry of telecommunication and information society of the Republic of Serbia.
The seminar and the round table are the chances to develop the dialouge on the theme of transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, organized with the goal to take into consideration the most important technical, regulational and economic aspects. The main goal of the meeting is the discussion on following subjects:
- Challenges of the digital broadcasting (technical, economical and regulational aspects);
- Experience and trends of the transmission to digital television and radio broadcasting;
- Harmonisation of technical, economical and regulational themes related to transmission to digital broadcasting.
The round table is the part of the Seminar programme, in which the ministries from Central and East Europe participate. The chairman will be Dr. Hamadoun Toure, Secretary general of ITU, and the NJ.E. Jasna Matić Ministry for Telecommunicatons and Information society of Republic of Serbia.
Source : http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/eur/europe/2009-MRT-Broadcasting/index.html
THE CROATIAN TELECOM – DTT CALL FOR BIDS
Croatia
31/03/2009
Croatian Telecom (T-HT) expressed its intention to be included into analogue to digital transition broadcasting process. According to Business.hr, HT has decided to participate in calls for bids for two multiplexes (A i B), which is organized by Croatian telecom and the Agency for electronic communication (HAKOM) for digital terrestrial television. The ultimate deadline for delivering offers was March 30 2009. Permissions for two multiplexes will be assigned for the ten year period, and will be consigned on April 28. Each permit separately covers 95% of the population.
Source : http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/?p=16059
EU MEMBER STATES TO ABANDON ANALOGUE
EU
16/02/2009
Europe is the world's leader in switching-over from analogue to digital broadcasting. The European Commission has a coordinated approach to the release and future use of the radio spectrum with the aim to allow citizens to enjoy the advantages of digital television, including interactive TV services (such as high-definition television or video on demand), available on different platforms (terrestrial, cable, satellite television), as well as on the internet and mobile TV networks. In any case, the transition from analogue terrestrial television to digital television is getting ever closer in Europe.
The transition to digital broadcasting has been completed in five member states (Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Sweden and the Netherlands), and the process is expected to advance to the entire EU by year 2010. The EU considers the year 2012 to be the final deadline for the transition to digital broadcasting for most of its member states. The transition to digital broadcasting has already started in 21 member states.
Source: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=
IP/09/266&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
PETITION ON THE SWITCH-OFF OF ANALOGUE SERVICES
USA
10/02/2009
The American regulator FCC announced that they received requests from 700 broadcasters requesting the right to terminate the provision of analogue broadcasting services on February 17.
This amounts to 40% of the total number of broadcasters. The switch-off of analogue television at the national level was scheduled for February 17, but the Congress decided on February 04 to postpone the switch-off until June 12 this year. Broadcasters have the right to request earlier termination of analogue broadcasting but the FCC may disregard any such requests which are found not to be in the public interest and which are contrary to the goal to provide viewers with enough time to prepare. It is feared that a partial transition from the analogue to digital would cause a great deal of confusion among viewers.
Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=agcQsq2Uwq4c
OBAMA IS LOOKING FOR CHANGE OF A DEADLINE FOR SWITCH-OVER TO DIGITAL TV
SAD
13/01/2009
Expressing his concern regarding the readiness of the Americans for switch-over to reception of digital TV signal and switch-off of the analogue one, newly elected president Barack Obama, addressed to the Congress, suggesting them to make a decision to prolong a deadline for switch-over on digital TV programme reception. Previous deadline for switch-over to digital TV was the 17 February 2009, and Obama's associates suggest this period to move to the second part of the year. One of the main reasons, mentioned in this suggestion, is the lack of means in the five billion funds, established by the Bush's administration, which was supposed to sustain the costs of the American households appearing during switch-over to digital TV signal reception. In addition to this reason, the problem is also insufficient households' education on digital television. According to the statistics, 19 million households confirmed that they were not completely prepared for switch-over to digital broadcasting. In December 2008 6,8% households were completely unprepared and 10% had one TV set, which was incapable for reception of digital signal.
Source: http://www.digitag.org/WebLetters/2009/External-Jan2009.html
SERBIA – IPTV
26/11/2008
From the 1st of December, Telekom Srbija will introduce IPTV into commercial use in Serbia. IPTV is digital television, and the image is transmitted via Internet. There are 47 channels offered in the basic, and 12 more in the additional package, while their use will be free of charge up to the end of January 2009. Unlike the experience of watching TV program thus far, with IP television, the viewers will become the editors of their own television program. Consequently, for example, you can make a reservation for and record any show, from any channel, seven days in advance, lock some programs so that none can watch them, or create a list of their favorite channels.
( B92 Beograd)
Source: h http://www.vesti.rs/izvor/Telekom-IPTV-od-1-decembra.html
SPAIN - 6 MILLION EUROS FOR A PROMOTIONAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
12/12/2008
The government is spending 6 million Euros for the promotion of DTT service during the holiday season. The media campaign includes promotions in the press, on television, and on radio. The viewers are encouraged to purchase DTT devices now, and not wait for the switch-off of analogue broadcasting.
Source: advanced-television.com
BRUSSELS - MOBILE TV ON EUROPEAN MOBILE TELEPHONES
10/12/2008
The European Commission has taken a decisive step towards the promotion of competitive Mobile TV services in the EU. It has published a set of guidelines for the authorization of Mobile TV to accelerate the roll-out of this service across Europe. Mobile TV revenues worldwide are expected to reach more than 7.8 billion EURO in 2013. The commercial services, launched before summer 2008 in some European countries, show that there is an increasing consumer demand: in the Netherlands alone, 10 000 users had already subscribed to the Mobile TV service at the beginning of autumn. The Member States of Mobile TV need to authorize Mobile TV services before any commercial launches by operators. Along with the addition of the DVB-H standard to the EU list of official standards, these guidelines underline the Commission's strong commitment to the promotion of new services for European consumers.
GERMANY – COMPLETED UPGRADE TO DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION
10/12/2008
The network operator Media Broadcast confirms completion of the upgrade from analogue to digital broadcasting in Germany. The services are now available to 90% of the population.
In order to successfully complete the entire switch-over process, Media Broadcast installed a total of 283 new transmitting stations and set up new broadcasting antennas on 79 locations.
More than 6,000 analogue TV transmitters and TV transposers have been uninstalled throughout Germany.
The viewers are now able to receive between 12 and 30 digital TV stations, depending on their location.
The digitalization process has been completed two years earlier than determined by the German federal government.
CYPRUS: DIGITAL TV BY 2011
On October 3rd, the Minister of Communication and Works, Mr. Nikos Nikolaides and the Minister of Interior Affairs, Mr. Neoclis Sylikiotis announced the introduction of digital terrestrial TV in Cyprus, which by 2012 will have fully replaced the broadcasting in analog format. Before the complete switch-over to digital broadcasting, there will be a transition period during which analog and digital transmissions will be offered in parallel.
Source: http://www.hri.org/news/cyprus/cna/2008/08-10-03_1.cna.html
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LAUNCHES OWN WEB TV CHANNEL
22/09/2008
The European Parliament has launched its own web TV channel. Known as EuroparlTV, its aim is “to bring Parliament closer to European citizens in a modern and creative format”. It is also stated that “The European Parliament prefers a web TV channel to a traditional broadcast channel. EuroparlTV is further split into four channels, with each directed to a different type of audience.
Source: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/?p=8626
FRANCE 09/09/2008
Manufacturers will need to include an MPEG-4 AVC HD tuner in all television sets sized 66 cm (26 inches) and above as of 1 December 2009. This is in addition to the requirement that all HD-ready television sets must include an HD tuner, also as of December 1st, 2008. All television sets and set-top boxes must include an HD/DTT tuner by December 1st, 2012.
Source: LegiFrance http://www.digitag.org/
August 28th, 2008
JAPAN – WORLD'S THINNEST AND LIGHTEST LCD TELEVISION
Sony Corporation in Tokyo announced that it would launch the world's thinnest liquid crystal display (LCD) television this year. The new 40-inch (101.6 cm) model, which is only 9.9 mm thick and weighs only 12, 2 kg, is estimated to sell for $4,478 in Japan.
The world's first LCD TV that displays 240 frames per second, compared with 120 frames for Sony's existing models, will be found on the market. More frames per second in a given time make fast-moving images in sports programs and action movies look seamless.
Source:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080828/tc_nm/sony_dc
August 7th, 2008
SPAIN – DTT COVERAGE REACHED 89% OF POPULATION
Since the end of July, digital-terrestrial coverage in Spain is progressing, with 89.15% of Spaniards now able to receive a DTT signal, which means a growth in coverage of little more than 3.8% in the last year. As a subsequent step, the DT coverage must reach 90% of the population by December 31st, and the figure must be raised again, to 93% of the population by July 31st 2009. Finally and coinciding with the analogue switch over, the signal must cover 98% of the total population in the case of the national public broadcasters and 96% in the case of the private commercial broadcasters.
Source: Rapid TV News
http://www.digitag.org/
July 31st, 2008
CROATIA- ADOPTED STRATEGY FOR SWITCH-OVER FROM ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL BROADCASTING
On the 31st of July, 2008, the Government of Republic of Croatia adopted the Strategy for Switch-Over from Analogue to Digital Broadcasting of Television Program. The document provides guidelines for the future development of television in the Republic of Croatia.
The start of broadcasting of digital television signal on the entire territory of Republic of Croatia is expected starting with January 1st, 2011.
Source: :
http://e-hrvatska.hr/sdu/hr/e-hrv/vijest.html?h=/hr/e-hrv/contentParagraph/06&c=/hr/ProgramEHrvatska/Provedba/Broadband
