ITU Regional Workshop on
on Efficiency of the
Frequency Spectrum Use in the Arab Region
Amman (Jordan), 5 – 7 December 2011
Digital Migration
Roadmap
Presented by Ms. Rouda Al Amir Ali
ITU Arab Regional Office
ITU Arab Regional Office
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
Subject to
change
• Objective
• Main topics to be addressed
• Scope of the project
• Activities
• Expected results
• 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
In the
period
2012 - 2014
• 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
ITU Arab Regional Office
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Main topics to be addressed
Basis for
roadmap
Roadmap for transition to
digital television
• The functional framework and methodology
described in the ITU Guidelines
• Current national TV market and regulatory
framework
• Nationally agreed Digital Switch-Over objectives
• To meet the national Digital Switch-Over objectives,
Greatest
challenge
Conditions
to be
fulfilled for
a successful
transition
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
•
•
•
•
•
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
ITU Arab Regional Office
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Main topics to be addressed
Applications for
enhanced broadcasting
• TV anytime
Three
enhanced
broadcasting
concepts
o 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
• Networks
o Broadcast networks designed for portable and mobile reception
Developments
o Fixed and mobile broadband networks
supporting
o Wireless domestic broadband connections (wifi)
enhanced
• Terminal devices
broadcasting
o Increased use of smart phones and tablet PCs
services
o Hard disk recorders
• Broadcast facilities
o Websites (such as BCC iplayer, ARD Mediathek)
ITU Arab Regional Office
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Main topics to be addressed
Regulatory framework
• Convergence has impact on regulatory framework at three levels
Convergence
between
broadcasting
and telecom
o Networks; different types of network (satellite, cable, broadband)
are able to provide similar services
o Devices; TV sets, PCs, smart phones, tablet PCs are able to receive
broadcast services
o Industry convergence; broadcast and telecom network providers
are often also broadcast service providers
Content
Creators
Content
Aggregators
Multiplex
Operator
Service
Providers
Content
Distributors
• Multiplex operator
Multiplex
o Merges various programme streams into a single data stream
operator
which is transported to the digital TV transmitters
new entity in
o Controls the number of services in the multiplex, the robustness
broadcast
of reception and picture and sound quality of the services
value chain
• The function of the multiplex operator has impact on
o The licensing model
o Network management and allocation of tasks and assets
ITU Arab Regional Office
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Main topics to be addressed
Various
delivery
means,
technical
standards
and
receivers
Mobile TV (MTV)
• 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)
• Receivers
o Mobile phones with DTTB or MTV decoders
o Smart phones and tablet PCs with IP wireless broadband reception
• Market prospective variable
Market
unclear
MTV
perspective
• MTV successful in Japan and Korea
• MTV services stopped in Europe
• No successful business case
• MTV developments should be observed before taking decisions
on standards, services and frequency assignments
• Provisions should be made to allow future introduction
ITU Arab Regional Office
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Scope of the project
Functional layer
Type of broadcasting services
DTTB
MTV
Enhanced
Cable/
broadcasting 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 Not in
& archives
scope
Not in
scope
Not in
scope
Not in
scope
Not in
scope
Networks
Partly in
scope 1)
Not in
scope
Not in
scope
Not in
scope
In scope
1) Observation of developments
ITU Arab Regional Office
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Activities
• Questionnaire to obtain
Information
exchange
o More information on Digital Switch-Over in the Arab countries
o Information on need and ability for ITU assistance in preparing
the roadmap for transition to digital television
• Functional framework and methodology for development of
the national roadmap for transition to digital television
Seminars and
• Developments in mobile television
workshops
• Enhanced broadcasting applications and delivery
• Regulatory framework for transition to digital television
ITU support
to selected
countries
• ITU experts assisting the National Roadmap Team of selected
countries in preparing the national roadmap for transition to
digital television
Pilot project
• Pilot project to demonstrate state of the art interactive
services and applications
ITU Arab Regional Office
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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
ITU Arab Regional Office
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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.
ITU Arab Regional Office
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Thank you for your attention!
Rouda Al Amir Ali
ITU Arab Regional Office
E-mail: rouda.alamirali@itu.int
ITU Arab Regional Office