ITU Regional Workshop onon Efficiency of the

Frequency Spectrum Use in the Arab Region

Amman (Jordan), 5 – 7 December 2011

ITU Arab Regional Office

Presented by Ms. Rouda Al Amir AliITU Arab Regional Office

Digital Migration Roadmap

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INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION

Initial outline of the project related to the regional Initiative on digital television transition in the

Arab region

ITU Arab Regional Office

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Initial outline of the project

Content

• Objective• Main topics to be addressed• Scope of the project• Activities• Expected results

Subject to change

• Feedback from workshop on spectrum management in Amman• Further considerations in ITU

ITU Arab Regional Office

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Objective

Assistance to ITU

member states in the Arab

region

• To make the gradual transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting• To enjoy the benefits of digital broadcasting technologies,

including enhanced broadcasting services• To prepare for broadcasting via mobile and handheld receiving

devices in future• Taking into account the results of the questionnaire sent to

administrations in the Arab region

• To prepare for the end of the transition period as defined in the Geneva 2006 Agreement (Art 12)o In June 2015 o In June 2020 in VHF in 10 Arab states

In the period

2012 - 2014

ITU Arab Regional Office

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Main topics to be addressed

Basis for roadmap

• The functional framework and methodology described in the ITU Guidelines• Current national TV market and regulatory

framework• Nationally agreed Digital Switch-Over objectives

Roadmap for transition to digital television

Greatest challenge

• To meet the national Digital Switch-Over objectives,o Including the Analogue Switch-Off date in June 2015 (and 2020

in VHF in 10 Arab states) • To avoid service interruption, or even service termination for

existing analogue TV viewers

Conditions to be

fulfilled for a successful transition

• Strong leadership from government• Firm decision that sets the Analogue TV Switch-Off date• Close cooperation between Regulator and market parties• Clear and timely regulatory framework• Adequate information and assistance to viewers

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Main topics to be addressed

Three enhanced

broadcasting concepts

Developments supporting enhanced

broadcasting services

• TV anytimeo Aiming at watching a programme at the time of choice of the

viewer• TV anywhere

o Aiming at watching a programme at the location of choice of the viewer

• Interactivity o Aiming at contributing, reacting or searching for more

information to a programme by the viewer

• Networkso Broadcast networks designed for portable and mobile receptiono Fixed and mobile broadband networkso Wireless domestic broadband connections (wifi)

• Terminal deviceso Increased use of smart phones and tablet PCso Hard disk recorders

• Broadcast facilitieso Websites (such as BCC iplayer, ARD Mediathek)

Applications for enhanced broadcasting

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Main topics to be addressedRegulatory framework

Convergence between

broadcasting and telecom

• Convergence has impact on regulatory framework at three levels o Networks; different types of network (satellite, cable, broadband)

are able to provide similar serviceso Devices; TV sets, PCs, smart phones, tablet PCs are able to receive

broadcast serviceso Industry convergence; broadcast and telecom network providers

are often also broadcast service providers

Multiplex operator

new entity in broadcast

value chain

• Multiplex operatoro Merges various programme streams into a single data stream

which is transported to the digital TV transmitterso Controls the number of services in the multiplex, the robustness

of reception and picture and sound quality of the services• The function of the multiplex operator has impact on

o The licensing modelo Network management and allocation of tasks and assets

ContentCreators

ContentAggregators

ServiceProviders

ContentDistributors

MultiplexOperator

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Main topics to be addressedMobile TV (MTV)

Various delivery means,

technical standards

and receivers

• Broadcasting to handheld devices • Networks

o Digital TV (DTTB) networks (e.g. DVB-T; ISDB-T; DVB-T2-lite)o MTV networks (e.g. DVB-H, T-DMB)o Mobile communication networks (3G/4G)

• Receiverso Mobile phones with DTTB or MTV decoderso Smart phones and tablet PCs with IP wireless broadband reception

Market unclear

• Market prospective variable• MTV successful in Japan and Korea• MTV services stopped in Europe

• No successful business case

MTV perspective

• MTV developments should be observed before taking decisions on standards, services and frequency assignments• Provisions should be made to allow future introduction

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Scope of the projectFunctional layer Type of broadcasting services

DTTB MTV Enhanced broadcasting

Cable/Satellite/ IPTV

Digital radio

Policy & regulation In scope In scope In scope In scope Not in scope

Analogue Switch-Off

In scope NA NA Not in scope

Not in scope

Market & business development

In scope Partly in scope 1)

In scope Not in scope

Not in scope

Program production & archives

Not in scope

Not in scope

Not in scope

Not in scope

Not in scope

Networks In scope Partly in scope 1)

Not in scope

Not in scope

Not in scope

1) Observation of developmentsITU Arab Regional Office

Activities

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Information exchange

• Questionnaire to obtaino More information on Digital Switch-Over in the Arab countrieso Information on need and ability for ITU assistance in preparing

the roadmap for transition to digital television

Seminars and workshops

ITU support to selected countries

Pilot project

• Functional framework and methodology for development of the national roadmap for transition to digital television• Developments in mobile television• Enhanced broadcasting applications and delivery• Regulatory framework for transition to digital television

• ITU experts assisting the National Roadmap Team of selected countries in preparing the national roadmap for transition to digital television

• Pilot project to demonstrate state of the art interactive services and applications

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Expected results

Digital broadcasting

• Harnessing the benefits of digital broadcasting applications in the Arab region• Human resources development

Regulatory framework

• Establishment of the requisite regulatory policies and frameworks• Human resources development

Interactivity

• Support to parties concerned in the field of interactive multimedia services and applications in the Arab region • Human resources development

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It is recommended that a coordination group is established in the region for harmonizing the digital broadcasting transition process, collecting relevant information and practices of countries which have already switched to digital broadcasting. This will also help in the process of capacity building and coordination of the utilization of the digital dividend.

Thank you for your attention!

Rouda Al Amir AliITU Arab Regional Office

E-mail: rouda.alamirali@itu.int

ITU Arab Regional Office