Digital Terrestrial TV Broadcasting Switchover … Receiver - Set-Top Box specification In order to ensure interoperability of transmitted digital broadcasting signals with the receivers,

Digital Terrestrial TV Broadcasting

Switchover Action Plan and

Recommendations

Ministry of Economy and Sustainable

Development

The main targets of the government of Georgia in the process of switchover to DTT broadcasting are:

Support of freedom of expression and media plurality;

Promotion of Georgian broadcasting market and locally made content;

Minimizing barriers for entering in to

Free-To-Air broadcasting market;

Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia

Creating a competitive environment by introducing alternative Free-to-Air

digital terrestrial MUX platforms;

Support for highly effective use of limited natural resources, i.e. radio

frequencies;

Insuring access of end users to diverse FTA broadcasting content;

Promotion of the field to attract investments;

Legislative amendments / authorization of broadcasters

TV brodcasting / TV content creation activity is separated from the

network / MUX operator business

Licensing of TV broadcasters is being abrogated. Content producers may

enter TV broadcasting market by means of simplified authorisation

procedure

Broadcaster(s) is additionally allowed to acquire a set of radio

frequencies for the purpose of building a DTT network / MUX platform.

Licence fees paid by the broadcasters ahead in time in exchange for the

use of FTA analog broadcasting radio frequency from 17 June 2015

onwards, will be reimbursed.

Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia

DTTV standards and technologies

DTTV broadcasting platforms with nationwide coverage obligation will use

the most advanced technology (DVB-T2, (EN 302 755) with MPEG4 data

compression mechanism (ISO/IEC 14496)) that brings a possibility for a MUX

platform to carry about 15 standard definition (SD) or 4 to 6 high definition

(HD) TV programmes .

DTTV broadcasting platforms, dedicated for the local (regional) coverage,

may be built using DVB-T standard with either MPEG4 or MPEG 2 data

compression technology.

Ministry of Economy and

Sustainable Development of Georgia

Digital Receiver - Set-Top Box specification

In order to ensure interoperability of transmitted digital broadcasting signals

with the receivers, Set-Top-Box technical specification document was

developed, (based on recognized International Standards) within the

framework of ongoing EBRD technical support project; It is recommended

that digital terrestrial TV receivers’ importers/producers use the document as

a manual;

It is recommended that all set top boxes available on Georgian market are

duly certified and compatible with the basic requirements outlined in the

document;



Rules of Operation of Service Information in the Georgia

DTTV Networks

Document on “Rules of Operation” was developed within the framework of

ongoing EBRD technical support project.

.

Georgian Government recommends that all DTTV network/multiplex

operators apply the basic rules outlined in the document

The document describes technical parameters and digital signal

transmission rules for the Georgia Digital Terrestrial TV Networks that

ensures interoperability of transmitted broadcasting signals with receiver

specifications.



Coverage obligations and recommendations

Additional documents developed under EBRD project covers:

Technical specifications of the Georgian nationwide DTTV network (s) (both

transmission and distribution networks), budgetary cost estimation of each

network element and key parameter indicators (KPI).

Technical planning shows that in order to achieve coverage similar to the

current analog broadcasting network (90% of population) DTTV network has

to use 42 main sites of “Teleradiocenter” and about 60 gap-fillers.

Based on the above, it is recommended that multiplex platforms with

nationwide coverage requirement use main sites of the “Teleradiocenter”.

However, MUX operators are free to submit alternative RF planning

scenarios, and build the networks using alternative infrastructure.



Frequency bands and future usage

Parts of the spectrum that were initially reserved for broadcasting (in

particular, the frequencies in the 800 MHz band from 2014 and the

700 MHz band, after switchover) will be used for wireless broadband

services in accordance with international best practice.

UHF namely - broadcasting channels under 470-694 MHz band will be

freed after digital switchover and will be available for digital terrestrial

TV broadcasting;

Due to the frequency shortage 694-790 MHz band will be used for

DTTV networks during simulcast;

VHF III namely - broadcasting channels under 174-230 MHz band will

be used for local digital terrestrial TV broadcasting platforms after June

17, 2015.



Frequency Resources for Transitional and Long Term Periods

Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development

Based on RF frequency resource availability under 470-694 MHz band seven

nationwide digital terrestrial TV broadcasting platforms (having different

technical specifications) are planned.

Due to the frequency shortage, during simulcast, two sets of “temporary”

frequencies were allocated for building two nationwide MUX platforms

After the DSO, “temporary” frequencies will be replaced by the sets of

frequencies according to the pre-defined plan.

As soon as legislative amendments take place, GNCC will release sets of

frequencies for multiplex platforms, according to the following scheme:

Frequency Resources Planned for DTT Networks and their Assignment

Sets of frequencies for five nationwide digital terestrial TV broadcasting platforms will be

available by means of open contest.

Multiplex Platforms 1,2, 3, 4 and 5

Set of frequencies for multiplex platform 6 (dedicated primary for carrying public broadcasters

TV programs) will be assigned free of charge to the “Teleradiocenter” - State owned entity;

Frequency channels (available under VHF III band after switchover) for local (DVB-T or T2

standard) multiplex platforms will be assigned free of charge to local free-to-air

broadcasters/local broadcasters’ union.

Multiplex Platform 6

Local Multiplex Platforms

Multiplex Platform 7

Set of frequencies for multiplex platform 7 will be reserved and decision will be made later -

taking into consideration the results of open contest.


Open Contest, Five Multiplex Platforms and Subsequent

Responsibilities

Under the open contest set of frequencies - “Lot” for the following five DTTV

broadcasting platforms (with different functions and technical specifications) will be

available:

Lot A (Multiplex Platform 1)

Under this Lot:

A set of frequencies planned for MUX platform 1 and allocated on a “temporary”

basis, for building a nationwide DTT network with local content insertions for each of

the ten allotment zones will be available immediately after the completion of open

contest. Winner will be responsible for the construction of an appropriate network till

June 17, 2015

After the DSO “temporary” set of frequencies for the same MUX platform will be

substituted by the frequency resource which can support the local content to be

delivered within subzones of each of the ten allotment zones. Winner will be

responsible for constructing an appropriate network gradually.


Lot B (Multiplex Platform 2)

Under this Lot:

Winner will be responsible for the construction of an appropriate network

for July 17, 2015

Frequency resource for the nationwide multiplex platform with the

ability of transmitting same content, will be available after June 17, 2015


Responsibilities


Multiplex Platform 1 and 2 license holders are

responsible:

building nationwide DTT network dedicated for the transmission of Free to Air

and/or Free to View content.

Responsibilities of A and B Lot Resource Holders

to provide authorized broadcasters an access to the MUX platform resources

without discriminatory restrictions on the basis of cost oriented price, not

exceeding the one indicated in the contest proposal.

In case of no demand for Free to Air access, license holder is allowed to provide Pay

TV services. But regardless of such permission, upon demand, a license holder has

to provide an access to the MUX resources unconditionally.


Lot C, D and E (Multiplex Platform 3, 4 and 5)

Under this Lot:

Frequency resource holder will be responsible for building a DTT

network that covers not less than 50% of population and provides Free

to air / Free to view and Pay TV services

Frequency resource for the nationwide DTT Network with the ability to

transmit same content to all of the ten allotment zones will be available

after June 17, 2015



Responsibilities

The GNCC during elaboration of the design of open competitive contest

shall take into consideration following recommendations:

Bidders shall have the chance to submit proposals for any combination of the

lots

Design of an open Competitive Contest and Relevant

Recommendations

The lots shall be defined in advance. This shall ensure construction of multiplex

platforms providing free to air / free to view content transmission (lots A and B in

particular). It is recommended to define the following combinations of the lots:

A+0 B+0 A+B

A+1 B+1 A+B+1

A+2 B+2 A+B+2

A+3 B+3 A+B+3


Bidders shall have the chance

to submit any number of proposals for any combinations of the lots;


Recommendations

Bidders shall submit the documents confirming their financial

background;

Documents submitted by bidders shall include the technical and

financial/tariff proposals. The proposals shall be evaluated by defined

criteria with the relevant points and weighting factors.



Recommendations

A table below outlines additional criteria for evaluating bidders proposals related

to MUX platforms A and/or B

Additional point(s) shall be granted to the bidder, if he managed to submit a

number of MoU’s signed with the national, local and other authorized

broadcaster

A Agreement with national broadcaster 10 points

B Agreement with local broadcaster 2 points

C Agreement with satellite license holder authorized

broadcaster.

1 point



Recommendations

GNCC will not set an one-off licence fee for obtaining sets of radio

frequencies

Bidders will be able to define maximum fee taking into account the

business model relevant to the lot combination selected by bidders

Financial/tariff proposal evaluation method shall be based on the

following criteria

A. The RF spectrum licence fee defined by the bidder to be transferred

to the state budget of Georgia

B. The price cap for transmission of free-to-air TV content within

multiplex platform/platforms



Recommendations

Bidders applying for less lots within the given combinations, shall be

granted more points e.g.

A+0 100% B+0 95% A+B 95%

A+1 90% B+1 85% A+B+1 85%

A+2 80% B+2 75% A+B+2 75%

A+3 70% B+3 65% A+B+3 65%


Multiplex 6 / digital terrestrial multiplex platform for the public

broadcaster

In order to guarantee construction of at least one DTTV platform before

simulcast period and to ensure that public broadcaster's Free-to-air content

is broadcasted through Digital terrestrial platform (including simulcast

period) a set of frequencies (including frequencies for the distribution

network) will be assigned to “Teleradiocenter” – state owned entity

Digital terrestrial broadcasting platform 6 (including distribution

network) - has to be constructed before March 1, 2015

During the simulcast period the Multiplex 6 will carry public broadcaster's

as well as corresponding Free-to-air broadcasters TV content.

Dedicated terrestrial multiplex platform for the Public broadcaster and

competition

In order to secure competition “Teleradiocenter” – State owned entity - participation in

the open contest will be restricted and will not be allowed to:

Manage free capacity of the multiplex platform 6 and offer access to free-to-air

broadcasters as well as to provide pay TV services

But in order to use effectively capacity not loaded by public broadcaster’s TV content of

MUX 6 “Teleradiocenter” has to provide access to licensed MUX operators upon their

request (on the first come first serve bases) with non-discriminatory conditions and

cost-oriented prices.

In addition, “Teleradiocenter” (as far as the company is owner of the main passive

infrastructure - masts to be used by DTTV networks) will be obliged to meet reasonable

requests for access to, and use of, specific network elements and associated facilities,

and provide service with non-discriminatory conditions and cost-oriented prices

Support of Local Broadcasting and Formation of Local Multiplex

Platforms

The planned course foresees assignment of frequency resource(s) necessary to form

local DTT broadcasting network/multiplex platform free of charge taking in

consideration the following

In case more than one local free to air broadcaster willing to form local multiplex

platform GNCC will assign frequency resource(s) free of charge and without an

open contest to the existing/established voluntary union of local broadcasters. The

union must be established by the end of May 2014 and must present an application

form to the commission.

In case more than one local union will be established (and/or any of the local

broadcasters was not able to join the association despite their willingness to do so) the

GNCC will ensure the frequency resource(s) allocation based on the open contest.


To ensure the formation/completion of local DTT network/multiplex

platform by March 1, 2016

Local multiplex platforms and relative responsibilities

The local broadcaster/the Union of local broadcasters owning the frequency

resource(s) will be responsible

To provide only free to air/free to view TV content (broadcasters

authorized in Georgia)

In case of demand, must ensure non-discriminatory access of the

broadcasters (authorized in Georgia) to free resource(s) of the multiplex

platform.

In spite of the fact, that local broadcasters/union of local broadcasters will be able to use

frequency resource(s) only after DOS, in case of timely activities they will be able to

complete the preliminary works for network provisioning by June 17th 2015 and launch

the local multiplex platform with in the shortest time possible (after ASO).


During simulcast the state MUX platform will ensure provision of TV content of

GPB as well as all the existing national free to air broadcasters in SD format with

no charge.

Simulcast period

Simulcast period must comprise of no less than three month period, starting

from March 17th 2015 to June 17th 2015

During simulcast, the broadcasters producing local/regional content, wish to

stay in broadcasting business only, can join the state MUX platform and be

carried with no charge.

It is duty of a content provider, during simulcast period, to deliver signal to MUX operator headend in

the format described in technical documentation, on their own expense.


State aid (provisioning and installation of STB’s) for the families registered as

socially vulnerable and having less than 70,000 total rating points(at the moment

total estimated number varies between 225,000-240,000)

Customer issues, State subsidy policy and information

within the reform state provision includes the following:

Within the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development will be established

the “Digital Broadcasting Agency”. The agency shall coordinate the activities

related to the transition on digital broadcasting, namely providing information on

key aspects of the reform to the interested parties, as well as providing

necessary state aid to the socially vulnerable families.

Financing the public information provisioning activities.


“Digital Broadcasting Agency” and information provision to the

interested parties

In order to provide relevant information to the public and interested parties, also

provide timely aid if necessary, the "Digital broadcasting agency” shall:

Set up 24/7 multilingual hotline service;

Set up a special informational website, where all relevant information will be

presented and updated (www.digital.gov.ge);

shall provide updated information on the sellers/resellers of certified “STBs”;

Shall produce the social advertising material and coordinate its dissemination

via media channels;

Shall provide special trainings for journalists and interested parties.

Shall print informative leaflets for customer and sellers and distribute these

materials in the relevant stores/shops;
