In the last few weeks, digital terrestrial television (DTTV) has become the talk of the town. The reception of digital television signals from Sicily and the soft launch of a Maltese DTTV network have fuelled the curiosity about this new transmission system. The announcement of imminent DTTV trials is whetting the appetite of television viewers in Malta about the possibility of a competitor to cable television. CHARLOT ZAHRA explains how digital terrestrial television will start arriving in our homes in the not-so-distant future.
The present situation
For the last 50 years, television signals received off an antenna utilised the analogue format. Analogue signals are sent like waves, indicating to the television set which colours and sound to produce.
Each television channel is transmitted from a transmitter on its own frequency, similar to an FM radio station. These waves are subject to interference, fading and ghosting.
This technology has now been superseded by the digital format, which is a more efficient and accurate mode of transmitting signals. In Digital Terrestrial Television (DTTV), the video and audio signals are converted into a series of ‘Ones’ (ON) and ‘Zeros’ (OFF), the same format used in a computer and DVD.
Because precise colour and sound information can be transmitted, the combination of these “on’s” and “off’s”, results in a much clearer picture. Digital transmissions are also less affected by interference from buildings or the weather. The main advantage of digital signals is the space they occupy, such that, in the space occupied by one analogue television channel, with digital transmission, five, six or even seven channels can be broadcast. This is known as a multiplex.
Apart from the increased number of available programme channels, DTTV offers a number of other advantages to the consumer.
DTTV can deliver both Standard (SD) and High Definition (HD) television quality. Standard broadcasts provide widescreen pictures and DVD quality. High definition broadcasts also provide widescreen, however with superior quality, similar to that of film. The sound quality is similar to CD and some TV programmes are enhanced with surround sound.
DTTV can deliver radio channels with CD quality as well.
DTTV also provides enhanced and interactive services such as Internet services, information sharing, home shopping, banking and live participation in TV game shows. When combined with a telephone line, DTTV can offer an even larger range of activities.
DTTV also allows for Electronic Programme Guides (EPG). A basic EPG allows viewers to navigate between channels and identify the current and next programme. More sophisticated EPGs provide reminders for program viewing, supplying a short synopsis of the program content and other features.
When is Malta changing to DTTV?
Europe is gradually withdrawing analogue television and migrating to DTTV. Through the Action Plan eEurope 2005: An Information Society for all, the EU is also driving for an accelerated take-up of digital broadcasting and has requested member states to publish their intention of a possible switch over and possibly a date for the closure of analogue terrestrial television.
Following this, as well as a number of expressions of interest for the provision of digital services, in July 2004 the Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications published a consultation document on a proposed strategy for the implementation of Digital Broadcasting.
It is anticipated that the revised strategy, having taken in to consideration the responses to the consultation document, will be approved and published by mid-December, the MCA says.
Seven companies have applied to conduct trial transmissions for DTTV following a call for applications issued by the MCA on 23 November 2004.
Apart from the existing four terrestrial television broadcasters, there have also been applications by Maltacom plc, Techinvest Limited and Multiplus Limited.
A spokesperson for the MCA said that all seven requests will be accommodated.
The seven applicants are Far-Fetched Media Limited (operated by Smash TV), Maltacom plc, Media.Link Communications Limited (operators of Net TV), Multiplus Limited, One Productions Limited (operators of Super One TV), Public Broadcasting Services (operators of TVM) and Techinvest Limited, the telecoms company owned by former Maltacom chairman Tony Mejlaq.
The trials will take place for a maximum of four months and all tests must end by the end of May 2005.
There are three analogue channels that will be used for test transmissions – channels 39, 64 and 67 in the UHF band.
Asked when the MCA envisages that licences for DTT services will be granted, the spokesman said: “It is envisaged that frequencies will be allocated by end May 2005.”
Multiplus Limited had already been issued a licence for DTT test transmissions on 3 June 2004 after they applied to install and operate a DTT network on 25 February 2004.
They were granted a single UHF analogue channel for the purpose of carrying out technical DTT trials on a temporary basis. The channel was granted subject to various conditions and strictly for testing purposes, not for commercial use.
Since then, Multiplus Limited has been granted a licence to install and operate a Telecommunications System but this is subject to it being allocated the requisite frequencies in line with government policy relating to Digital Terrestrial TV operations in Malta.
Low power transmissions on the DTT network from Portomaso Tower started on 9 December 2004, but these will be beefed up and new transmitters will be added.
An MCA spokesperson said the UHF channels allocated to Multiplus for DTT trials are 56, 58, 59, 60 and 62. Multiplus Limited said it was ready to offer a service to compete with digital cable television by the first quarter of 2005.
However it cannot market its service until the MCA authorises the use of frequencies for commercial purposes at the end of May 2005.
Moreover, on 14 July 2004, Multiplus Limited was also granted a 10-year licence by the MCA to install and operate a cable television system throughout the territory of Malta.
In the call for applications on 23 November, the MCA said “the grant of this frequency on a temporary, trial basis in no way constitutes any commitment on the part of the MCA to make this grant permanent at a later stage.
“Neither does it in any way prejudice any future policy government may formulate nor does it in any way imply any impartation of preference should a competitive allocation process for frequency allocation be necessary in the future,” it added.
The MCA said these trial allocations “in no way bind the government to formulate policy in any particular way. The final form of this policy will be announced following the outcome of the consultation process initiated in July 2004”.
The trial can only be technical in nature. No commercial activity, including advertising, marketing or pricing the service, charging for the service, and/or sale of set-top boxes making use or associated to receive the DTTV signals.
These STBs vary in price from €100 (approx Lm45.00) to €300 (approx Lm135.00). The basic set top would allow for the reception of DTTV signals. The high end STBs would be capable of interactivity, utilising an internal built in modem for connectivity with the content provider. Interactivity could feature home shopping, Internet connectivity and other services. They could also be equipped with a smart card to allow access to Pay TV services.
Integrated digital television sets are now entering the local market. These are normally wide screen, and would have high level audio capabilities and high resolution displays. They do not require an STB, however they would be quite expensive in comparison to an analogue TV. An external antenna may be required in certain locations.
What are the opportunities created by DTTV?
(i) Spectrum availability will allow for the development of new networks requiring new content development, service and network operators.
(ii) Interactive DTTV will provide new development opportunities for the IT sector.
(iii) Diffusion of Internet services to the general public without computer use or skills.
(iv) New business opportunities through interactive services.
(v) Increased sales of wide screen televisions and STBs.
When will analogue TV be turned off?
Although no official analogue turn off (ATO) date has been set, it is expected that the target ATO is 2010. Italy has set a target ATO of 2006 and is actively promoting the change over to DTTV.
Source: MCA