DTT : general technical points

1. DTT : general technical points François-Xavier Georgetin charge of technical affairsDirection du Développement des Médias (fx.georget@ddmedias.pm.gouv.fr)

2. Table • DTT : general overview? • Technical aspects • How marketing scenario is influencing technical points

3. DTT general overview • Digitalization • general trend in broadcasting • better quality • less expensive transmission • more numerous services • What is DTT • Digitalization of terrestrial hertzian waves • 3 historical broadcasting transmission means • terrestrial • satellite • cable

4. Satellite & terrestrial Satellite Cable Cable : only terrestrial channels Only terrestrial Allocation of each transmission vector • Allocation different depending on each country • broadcasting and industrial policy • breakdown of the population • multi-equipment in households : • One third of households with more than one TV receiver • US and japan : about 3/4 • UK : 37 % (24 % more than 3 ) • For example France

5. DTT : essential to digitalization • In a country where terrestrial is a main mean of reception DTT is one (if not only ?) way to provide digital services to every body at large scale in short time • In completion of digital cable and satellite • Reusing of analogical transmission sites • feeling of simpleness to take benefit of: plug and play • reusing of antenna • low cost of up grading 23 € each household vs  150 € for cable and satellite • adapted to local television (contrary to satellite)

6. Basic technological aspects of DTT • spectral efficiency : 6 times more than analogical • spectrum planification with less constraints • isofrequency • transmitters : 20 times less powerful • portability & mobility

7. Desavantages compares to cable and satellite • Still expensive transmission cost for one channel • between 5 à 10 millions € a year for 80% of people in France (vs 80 anal.) • 0,5 million € a year for satellite • could be between 2 and 4 millions € for cable (but different model) • low bit rate available • 6 mux 150 Mbit/s vs 1 Gbit/s for cable andfor satellite • very low real interactivity

8. Objectives pursuited with DTT • In France decision has been made :DTT has to be launched • To complete digital offer • To spread free TV offer • To stand for cultural diversity • To stand for consumer electronic industry • more efficient management of radio spectrum • in second term : switch off

9. DTT : an old technology out of date ? • Recent controversy in France • real problem for some people the heavy legally framework • DTT vs xDSL • condition to be available for people • business plan • real debate • broadcasting network vs commuted networks • MPEG 2 vs MPEG 4 • Broadcasting lays on settled technology • reliability • cost for consumer

10. Detailed technical aspects to be take into account • Spectrum management • transmitted signal specifications • reception • antenna • set up boxes • Workshop in France since 2002 • National regulatory authority • broadcasters • industrialists

11. Spectrum management • Planification • switchover : analogical and digital • avalability of spectrum • international coordination • to define objectives to be reached • what kind of coverage (macro / micro cellular) • fix • portability • mobility • Consequences induced • re-arrangment of analogical spectrum

12. Signal specifications 1 • DVB-T • standardisation adopted at european level • new electronic communication packages and standardisation • scrambling algorithm • API • new electronic communication packages and standardisation • MHP

13. Signal specifications 2 • specific information transmitted • list of channels • name • further information on programs • parental control • epg • crossed information • interoperability of set up boxes • up-grading of set up boxes

14. Reception • Transmitted is one thing, to be able to receive an other • UK 1998 • Antenna • collective antenna • Set up boxes

15. Antenna • Antenna vs portability • 2001 Simavelec study for France : individual household

16. Collective antenna • Portability • must carry rules • 2001 Simavelec study for France : collective antenna

17. Set up boxes • Availability in reatil market • Sp • UK • price • under 100 € • free to air vs pay TV

18. Set up box specifications • Consumer elctronic industry • set up boxes • integrated digital TV • specific model for certain country • extra functions • parental cost • EPG • API

19. Experimentations • Technical validation • live experiments before launching • signal reception : portability • compatibility with analogical channels • compatibility with cable • antenna • set up boxes

20. Switch off • goal to be reached within reasonnable terms • marketing success • turn over of TV : 10 % a year • continuity of services • different steps • simulcasting • specific helps : compliance with european law as technological neutrality

21. Conclusions • Under estimation • real steeple chase with heavy consequences • UK • SP • Credibility of DTT in a network world • Emily ’s aunt ’s reception mean • Big influence of business plan • free to air • pay TV

22. THE END