The European Commission has written to eight EU Member States (Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Luxemburg) seeking information about their implementation of the Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Directive. The Commission has asked the Member States to reply within 10 weeks. The fact-finding letters are part of the Commission's efforts to ensure that the national media laws of all Member States correctly implement all aspects of the AVMS rules. The issues raised vary from one Member State to the other. The requests for information do not imply that the Directive has been incorrectly implemented by the Member States concerned but simply that, at this stage, the Commission has some outstanding questions concerning their implementation of the Directive.

See Press Release
Source: Europa

WIPO’s top copyright negotiating body will recommend to the September session of the General Assembly to resume a Diplomatic Conference on the Protection of Audiovisual Performances after agreement on the last outstanding issue relating to the transfer of rights. The convening of a diplomatic conference signals entry into the final phase of treaty negotiations, with the objective of concluding a treaty that would shore up the rights of performers in their audiovisual performances. Progress was also made in talks relating to the protection of broadcasting organizations with agreement on a work plan aimed at advancing negotiations on an international instrument. Efforts to update the rights of broadcasters, which are currently dealt with by the 1961 Rome Convention, have grown in momentum over the past years in light of the advent of radically new types of content distribution over the Internet and growing signal piracy problems around the world. These triggered international discussions to review and update existing international standards and to ensure an appropriate balance between the different interests of all stakeholders and those of the general public.

See Press Release
Source: WIPO

European Commission has expressed a number of concerns on a proposal by the Belgian audiovisual regulators to regulate broadcasting services in Belgium. It has also raised some questions on the Belgian telecommunications regulator's proposal to regulate broadband access. In particular, the Commission is asking the Belgian regulators to take full account of market developments in both markets and to further substantiate and justify its reasoning with regard to the broadcasting market. The Commission's role is to oversee the details of remedies proposed by national telecoms regulators to address competition problems so as to ensure that customers and businesses are able to benefit from a fair and competitive single EU telecoms market, and that operators have the regulatory certainty they need to confidently operate EU-wide.

The plans would oblige Belgacom and cable operators to allow alternative operators to compete more effectively in the markets for both cable and the xDSL (where data is transmitted over telephone networks).

Under the proposed measure, Belgacom would have to give access for competitors to its broadband network (using telephone lines) and the cable operators, Telenet, Brutélé, Numéricable, Tecteo and AIESH would have to give access for competitors to their cable networks.

Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice President for the Digital Agenda said "I fully share the objective of the Belgian audiovisual and telecoms regulators to enhance competition for the benefit of the Belgian consumers, who are entitled to more choice and lower prices. However, regulators have to carefully examine market developments and avoid imposing disproportionate obligations on market operators, as this may create unnecessary burdens and ultimately stifle investment and innovation. The Commission has therefore asked the Belgian regulators to carefully examine the competitive conditions in the markets concerned and provide further evidence for their proposed measures".

 

See Press Release 
Source: European commission - Information Society

According to CRTC's Chairman,  Konrad von Finckenstein, in a digital world, regulatory change is necessary. He said: "We need new legislation and a new institutional framework. We cannot make the most of new opportunities when we are limited by the practices and the structures of the past".

Read the speech
Source: CRTC

The CRTC initiates a public proceeding to review its policies for direct-to-home (DTH) satellite distribution. As part of this proceeding, the CRTC will hold a hearing commencing on 16 November 2010. In this document, the Commission invites comments and proposals on its regulatory framework for DTH satellite distribution, particularly with respect to: the conventional television stations that DTH distributors are required to offer to their subscribers; and the manner in which DTH distributors perform simultaneous substitution. The deadline for filing written comments is 8 September 2010.

See Press Release
Source: CRTC

The Swiss telecoms company hopes new products will help it increase subscribers for SwisscomTV, its Internet Protocol TV product, and prevent customers defecting to other players when they launch in Switzerland probably next year. "You cannot stand still in this industry, too many things happen, and we don't want to be left behind," Britta Reinhardt, Swisscom's head of business innovation told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview at the company's innovation day in Berne, where it exhibits new technologies and products.

See Press Release
Source: Total Telecom

The Federal Communications Commission recently took action to extend the deadline for broadcasters, cable companies, satellite radio and television operators, and wireline video service providers to implement the new federal common messaging protocol adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the transmission of next generation emergency alerts and warnings to the public.

See Press Release
Source: FCC Federal Communications Commission

Ofcom has  published an invitation to comment on the Public Interest Test it will conduct in relation to News Corporation’s intention to acquire the shares in British Sky Broadcasting Plc it does not already own.

This document outlines the considerations Ofcom will make as part of its initial investigation and now invites comments from interested parties.

In considering the public interest, Ofcom will have particular regard to the significance attached by Parliament to sufficient media plurality. And in undertaking an initial investigation of this Public Interest Test Ofcom will specifically consider:

• Content types
• Audiences
• Media platforms
• Control of media enterprises
• Future developments in the media landscape

Ofcom is also seeking views about the potential future impact of the proposed acquisition on the sufficient plurality of persons with control of the media enterprise and on potential remedies or mitigations to any public interest concerns identified by interested parties.

See Press release

Source: OFCOM

The European Commission has adopted a Decision establishing harmonised technical rules for Member States on the allocation of radio frequencies in the 800 MHz band that contribute to the deployment of high-speed wireless internet services by avoiding harmful interference. In several Member States the 800 MHz frequencies are being freed up as part of the so-called "digital dividend" resulting from the switchover from analogue to digital television broadcasting. If Member States decide to change the existing frequency allocation (for broadcasting) they must immediately apply the harmonised technical rules laid down by the Decision to make these frequencies available to wireless broadband applications. Today's decision does not itself require Member States to make available the 790-862 MHz band for electronic communication services. However, the Commission is considering such a proposal in the forthcoming Radio Spectrum Policy Programme, which will take account of a recent consultation on the subject and the 22-23 March Spectrum Summit organised by the Commission and the European Parliament.

See Press Release
Source: Europa

Commencing on 7 December 2009, the Commission will hold a public hearing in order to prepare a report to thegovernment on the implications and advisability of implementing a compensation regime for the value of local television signals. For more information or to listen to the hearing through live audio feed, please visit the CRTC website.

See webpage
Source : CRTC

Axtel, Mexico's No.2 fixed-line carrier, having received a concession from the Communications and Transportation Ministry to provide satellite and pay TV services, announced on Tuesday that pay TV will be added to its current offering of phone and Internet services starting early next year.

See More
Source Total Telecom

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is seeking industry comment on draft Temporary Community Broadcasting Licence Guidelines 2009 (the draft guidelines).

‘The intent of the draft guidelines is to provide ACMA with a more efficient, transparent and responsive process for allocating and varying temporary community broadcasting licences,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

Once finalised, the draft guidelines will replace the current Guide to the Allocation of Temporary Community Broadcasting Licences (Radio) published in December 2007 (the current guidelines).

See Press Release
Source: ACMA - Australian Communications and Media Authority

TRAI seeks space for Public Service Broadcasting in its Recommendations on Issues relating to entry of certain entities into Broadcasting and Distribution activities.

As regards the question of entry of State Governments, urban and rural local bodies, etc. into broadcasting activities, the Authority has taken note of the fact that at present these entities have not been permitted to enter into broadcasting activities.

See Press Release
Source: TRAI

The Digital Migration Pilot project has been officially launched on behalf of the Minister of Communication, Dr Benjamin Aggrey Ntim by the Chief Director of the Ministry. This took place at the Kofi Annan ICT Centre in Accra.

Mr. Kwaku Ofosu-Adarkwa Chief Director of the Ministry of Communications who read the statement on behalf of the minster said the launch of a Pilot Project on the migration to Digital Broadcasting is very timely because the forum is going to serve as a platform to identify practical challenges that lie ahead of Ghana. Adding that the meeting is a step forward to monitor what the technical advantages and challenges will be like from a practical point of view.

He stressed on the need to continue to plan and analyse the implications of the migration, bearing in mind that broadcasting services should reach the populace at affordable cost and impact positively on their lives. The Minister for Communication then called on the Ministry of Communications to facilitate an all inclusive national migration committee to address the task ahead.

See Press Release
Source: Ministry of Communications of Ghana

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today introduced new policies to prepare the Canadian broadcasting industry for the transition to a fully digital environment. In developing these policies, the Commission has simplified its regulation in order to foster a more coherent and well-calibrated broadcasting system. The CRTC has developed forward-looking policies that will give the broadcasting system added flexibility while retaining the necessary regulations to achieve the objectives of the Broadcasting Act. The majority of the changes will come into effect on August 31, 2011. This date coincides with the end of analog over-the-air broadcasting in Canada and will give the industry time to adapt.

See Press Release
Source: CRTC

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) launched a proceeding to gain a better understanding of broadcasting in the new media environment. The proceeding will include a public hearing starting on February 17, 2009, in Gatineau, Que. In 1999, the Commission exempted from regulation services that distribute broadcasting content over the Internet. In 2007, it also exempted broadcasting services that are received through cellphones and other mobile devices. Today, high-speed Internet access has been adopted by most Canadians, new technologies and applications are offering high-quality broadcasting content, and Canadians are spending more time accessing this type of content over the Internet and mobile devices. With this proceeding, the Commission wishes to further examine the role of broadcasting in the current new media environment, and what role this environment can be expected to play in the Canadian broadcasting system in the future.See Press Release and documents

Source: CRTC

The Commission today welcomed the Colombian national regulator's (the National Commission for Television CNTV) selection the European Digital Video Broadcasting standard (DVB-T) for the country's digital terrestrial TV. The terrestrial DVB standard, DVB-T, has already been adopted in Europe and by over 120 countries in Asia, Africa, Oceania and Latin America. The decision by the Colombian regulator will confirm the EU's commitment to working with Colombia and the rest of Latin America to better exploit the potential of ICT and media. Other Latin American countries (such as Peru, Venezuela, Argentina or Chile) are expected to decide soon about their digital TV standard. In August 2007, Uruguay was the first Latin American country to choose to use the DVB family of standards for its digital TV needs.

Source: Europa

Ofcom published today further consultation documents as part of its Pay TV market investigation and its consideration of the proposal from BSkyB/Arqiva for a new Pay TV service called “Picnic” on digital terrestrial TV.
 
The Pay TV consultation document can be found here
The consultation on “Picnic” can be found here
 
Source: OFCOM

Ofcom has today published recommendations to the Mobile Broadband Group (MBG) to consider in its review of the UK Code of Practice for the self-regulation of new forms of content on mobiles. The Code was published by MBG in 2004 to restrict mobile access to adult content for anyone who could not verify that they were over 18.  The Code applies to content provided directly by the mobile operator, commercial content provided by third-party providers and content accessed on the internet. The industry has made a significant investment in this initiative. Ofcom has found that overall the Code is effective in restricting young people’s access to inappropriate content and is a good example of industry self-regulation. It has also made recommendations for MBG to consider in its review.

The full review can be found here.
The Mobile Broadband Group consultation can be found here.

Source: OFCOM

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today approved, subject to certain conditions, Remstar Diffusion inc.'s (Remstar) acquisition of the TQS Network and television stations in Montreal, Quebec, Trois-Rivières, Sherbrooke and Saguenay. The Commission has also renewed the licences of these stations until 2015, but will re-examine the programming commitments after three years.

See Press Release
Source : CRTC

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)  launched a consultation on broadcasting in the new media environment for a public hearing to be held in early 2009. The Commission is asking for public input on the scope of such a proceeding.  Today, the Commission released a compilation of research and views titled Perspectives on Canadian Broadcasting in New Media. This document is the result of research commissioned by the CRTC over the past year and includes views obtained from the Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications industries, academia, and national and international policy-makers. Broadcasting in the new media environment is an expansive and complex subject. Those consulted held different opinions on its very nature. They also expressed various ideas on how to make the most of emerging opportunities for the broadcast of high-quality, professional Canadian content in new media. The Commission therefore wishes to narrow the range of issues that could be considered as part of a proceeding on broadcasting in this environment. In a call for comments also issued today, it is asking for public input on whether the following questions, and what other questions, should fall within the scope of the public hearing to be held early next year: What is broadcasting in new media?  Should the creation and promotion of Canadian broadcasting content for the new media environment be supported? If so, how?  Are there any barriers to accessing Canadian broadcasting content in the new media environment?  What other issues should be considered?  Interested parties may submit their comments by July 11, 2008.

News Release
Source: CRTC

In a new round of infringement proceedings for EU Telecoms Rules, the European Commission has decided to send a reasoned opinion (the second and final stage before the case is referred to the European Court of Justice) to Belgium on “must-carry” rules imposed on broadcasters in the bilingual region of Brussels-Capital. "Must-carry rules" require network operators such as cable companies or telecom operators to carry specified radio and TV broadcast channels and services where a significant number of consumers use them as their principal means to receive radio or TV broadcasts.

See Press Release
Source: Europa

Africa’s incumbent telco operators are sidling towards offering their customers triple play. This week Ghana Telecom announced the introduction of IP-TV and Mozambique’s cable operator has approached the Mozambique regulator for a voice licence. Coming from the other side of the convergence divide, Nigerian broadcaster AIT is going through an IPO which it says will see it deliver triple play.

See Press Release
Source: Balancing Act - Africa

The 8^th Global Symposium for Regulators took place from 11 to 13 March 2008 in Pattaya, Thailand. This major ITU event focused on best practices in regulatory measures to foster and encourage sharing of infrastructure resources as a means of stimulating investment and growth in the ICT sector.

Ten discussion papers were developed for this year's GSR:

1. What do we mean by 6 Degrees of Sharing?
2. Extending Open Access to National Fibre Backbones in Developing Countries
3. International Gateway Liberalization: the Singapore experience
4. Breaking Up is Hard to Do: The Emergence of Functional Separation as a Regulatory Remedy
5. Mobile Sharing
6. Spectrum Sharing
7. WRC-07 Results and Impact on Terrestrial Broadband Wireless Access Systems
8. End-User Sharing
9. International Mobile Roaming Regulation – An Incentive for Cooperation
10. IPTV and Mobile TV: New Challenges for Regulators

Comments are welcome by 13 April 2008 at: gsr08@itu.int.   

More information on the event as well as the presentations from the panel sessions can be found at the GSR 2008 website.

See: Press release 

Source: ITU

On 25 February, 2008, the Commission will hold a public hearing in Gatineau, Quebec, to consider an application by BCE Inc. seeking, among other, authority for the transfer of its effective control to a corporation to be incorporated (BCE Holdco) by an investor group led by Teachers Private Capital, the private investment arm of the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, Providence Equity Partners Inc., Madison Dearborn Partners and Merrill Lynch Global Partners, Inc. For more information or to listen to the hearing through live audio feed, please visit  website.
Reference documents:    Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2007-19
See also 2007-19-1

Also on 25 February, 2008, the Commission will hold a public hearing in Vancouver, British Columbia, to consider diverse broadcasting applications. For more information or to listen to the hearing through live audio feed, please visit  website.
Reference documents:    Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2007-18
See also 2007-18-1; 2007-18-2;  2007-18-3   and 2007-18-4.

Source: CRTC

The European Commission has decided to close its infringement procedure against Greece for failure to fully comply with the European Court of Justice's ruling of 14 April 2005. The ruling had confirmed that Greece had failed to implement the Electronic Communications Competition Directive with regard to broadcasting transmission services. In 2007, the Commission had therefore decided to refer Greece again to the Court for continuing the infringement after the Court's April 2005 ruling (see IP/07/397). In September 2007, Greece formally notified its new "Law on Media Concentration" to the Commission. This new law liberalises broadcasting services.

See Press Release

Source: Europa

The Communications Minister, Hélio Costa, signed the consignation of two channels of the International Digital TV System ( which incorporates Europena, American, Japanese and Brazilian standards) to Rio de Janeiro city. 

According to the Digital TV cronogram, cities such as Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador have up to next July in order to operate the digital system digitally.

Until June 2016, all broadcasting stations will have to make simultaneous transmission, digital and analogic. After the due date pass, the analogic system will be deactivate.

See Press Release
Source: Ministry of Communications

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today introduced new policies to ensure that a diversity of voices is maintained in the Canadian broadcasting system.

See Press Release
Source: CRTC

The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago has recommended to the Minister of Public Administration that Concessions be granted to Trinidad Publishing Company Limited ( CNC3) and Synergy Entertainment Network Limited to provide Free to Air Television Broadcasting Services for periods of ten years. On April 27th 2007, the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago invited interested parties to submit Expressions of Interest for the provision of Free to Air Television Broadcasting Services. Based on responses to the above, the Board of the Authority took a decision to open the Free-to-Air television market to allow for three (3) additional National, two (2) additional Major Territorial and two (2) additional Minor Territorial providers of television broadcasting services.

See Press Release
Source: Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago

The European Commission has published a consultation paper on the future framework which will apply to State funding of public service broadcasting. This consultation gives Member States and stakeholders the opportunity to submit their views at an early stage, before any Commission proposal, on the possible revision of the Broadcasting Communication – first adopted in 2001 (see IP/01/1429). Comments should be submitted by 10 March 2008. The consultation documents include a questionnaire as well as an explanatory memorandum which gives an overview of the current rules, the relevant Commission decision-making practice and the possible scope for amendments. Key issues for discussion are the public service remit in the new media environment and control of overcompensation. Having reviewed the comments, the Commission may come forward later this year with a proposal for a revised Broadcasting Communication, with a view to its adoption in the first half of 2009.

See Press Release and documents
Source: Europa

Under the agreement between the two mobile companies (T-Mobile and Vodafone), Nokia Siemens Networks and Antenna Hungária, the mobile television test, comprising a technical test and a common ‘friendly user’ test, is to continue until the end of January 2008.

In the technical part of the DVB-H-based mobile television test, the equipment of the platform provided by Nokia Siemens Networks is connected to the broadcasting network of Antenna Hungária and the networks of the mobile operators involved in the project. Two handset models, Nokia N92 and Nokia N77 devices, are used in the tests, suitable for the reception of programs approved by the National Radio and Television Commission (ORTT) and the content providers. In comparison with an earlier test, more programs, altogether 11 television channels, including news, sports and music channels. In addition to television programs, interactive services can also be tested in the trial. Through the test, Antenna Hungária intends to improve the technological solutions which will enable it to provide a DVB-H-based mobile tv network for Hungarian mobile operators.

See Press release
Source: T-Mobile International

Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) reported that digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcast has no bearing on the interference of analogue television services, after conducting investigation into over half of the public complaints received since the launch of DTT services on 31 December 2007.

The investigations were carried out by this office in the past four days in responding to public concern about the suspected interference between DTT and analogue TV signals following the simulcasting of the two services.

See Press Release
Source: Office of the Telecommunications Authority

Ofcom today published a consultation document investigating the pay TV market. The purpose of this consultation is to seek stakeholders’ views on Ofcom’s initial assessment of the operation of competition in the market and the outcome for consumers. Ofcom welcomes views and comments on our initial assessment of the operation of competition in the market and the effect on consumers. The responses will help us to examine whether there are competition problems that require further action. Ofcom expects to publish a further consultation in Spring 2008.

See Press Release

Source: OFCOM

Amendment in conjunction with reallocation of the frequency band used for fixed radio communications for broadcasting business (3,456-3,600 MHz band) and securing of frequencies for the fourth-generation mobile communication systems In order to reallocate the frequency band that is currently used for fixed radio communications for broadcasting business (3,456-3,600 MHz band) and secure the frequencies for the fourth-generation mobile communication systems, MIC developed a draft MIC notice to partially amend the Frequency Assignment Plan (MPT Notice No. 746 of 2000).

MIC thus invites public comment on the draft notice from today to Friday, January 4, 2008.

See More

Source : MIC (Japan)

EU Parliament vote supported a compromise on the Audiovisual Media Directive in Brussels  for applying new rules to TV services across the EU. The rules apply to conventional TV and nonlinear services such as IPTV, video-on-demand and streaming media.

The new Audiovisual Media Services without frontiers Directive, will allow the audiovisual sector confront the profound changes it faces to accommodate technological and market developments, and changing viewing habits resulting from convergence. It follows May's political agreement by the European Parliament and Council on the main aims and provisions of the Directive (see IP/07/706), such as a new scope covering all audiovisual media services, more flexible advertising rules, a legal framework for product placement, new rights for citizens and the continued protection of key European values. The Directive is coherent with other recent Commission initiatives such as the proposed European strategy on mobile television, the plan to maximise the benefits of the digital dividend and the new MEDIA 2007 support programme. The forthcoming process of discussion and proposals on Creative Content Online will also supplement the progress made with the new Directive.

Member States will be given 24 months to convert the new rules into national law, so that they fully apply in 2009. Commissioner Reding recently asked (see SPEECH 07/560) Member States to proceed with a "light touch" transposition of the Directive i.e. not to add too many stricter national provisions, which would prevent their audiovisual industries to fully benefit from the freedom brought by the Audiovisual Media Services without frontiers Directive.

Press Release

Documents

Source: Europa

The Office of Electronic Communications notes increased interest in the implementation of mobile TV in Poland according to the DVB-H standard (Digital Video Broadcasting for Handhelds). Until now the Office of Electronic Communications has issued 11 radio licences for trial transmissions of this type.

On 18 July 2007 the European Commission (the EC) adopted a strategy favouring the take-up of mobile TV across all EU Member States in a uniform DVB-H standard. The Commission urged Member States to accelerate the deployment of mobile TV. The Commission concluded that in order for Europe to remain competitive in the market for mobile radiocommunication services (in terms of creating new jobs, business oportunities for service providers, hardware manufacturers and content creators and bringing new types of services) it is necessary to implement mobile TV.

In order to ensure equal treatment, the President of UKE invited all interested parties, especially the operators of transmission networks (mobile, broadcasting, access and others), hardware manufacturers and content creators (including broadcasters) to participate in common mobile TV tests in the DVB-H standard.

See more

Source: UKE Poland

ComReg published the licensing framework for Digital Terestrial Television (DTT) services in Ireland. A Paper presents the response to a consultation process issued on August 31st 2007.


Press Release and publication

Source: ComReg

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced that the scope of the review of its policies for broadcasting distribution and discretionary services is being expanded to consider the possible introduction of a subscriber fee for the carriage of local conventional television stations (fee-for-carriage).

See Press Release

Source: CRTC

Washington, DC – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today adopted a Report and Order (Order) banning the use of exclusivity clauses for the provision of video services to multiple dwelling units (“MDUs”) or other real estate developments.  The Order finds that nearly 30% of Americans live in MDUs and these numbers are growing.

 

With this proceeding, the Commission is taking another step to foster greater competition in the market for the delivery of multichannel video programming.  These rules will increase choice and competition for consumers residing in MDUs and other real estate developments.   In this Order, the Commission prohibits the enforcement or execution of existing exclusivity clauses and the execution of new ones by MVPDs subject to section 628 of the Communications Act. Full press release

 

Source: FCC, United States

A Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (Anatel) aprovou, hoje, o Regulamento de Proteção e Defesa dos Direitos dos Assinantes dos Serviços de Televisão por Assinatura, que abrange os usuários de TV a Cabo, Serviço de Distribuição de Sinais Multiponto Multicanais (MMDS), Serviço de Distribuição de Sinais de Televisão e de Áudio por Assinatura via Satélite (DTH) e Serviço Especial de Televisão por Assinatura (TVA).

De acordo com dados do primeiro semestre de 2007 da Anatel, o regulamento afeta cerca de cinco milhões de usuários (9,4 assinaturas por centena de domicílios). O usuário passará a ter direito ao recebimento, em dobro e em dinheiro, das quantias pagas em decorrência de cobrança indevida feita pela prestadora. Além disso, qualquer valor novo instituído pela operadora, diferente do acordado em contrato, deverá ser previamente informado ao assinante em data anterior à cobrança e aceito por ele. Full press release

Source: Anatel, Brazil

Ofcom today published the UK’s first comprehensive review of the children’s television market. The review assesses the current state of children’s programming and the prospects for the future delivery of a wide range of high-quality and original content for children.

Ofcom’s study reveals significant changes in the children’s media market, including:

• Children have an increasing range of media available to them - nearly two thirds of 12-15 year olds have access to the internet and mobile phone while ‘media stacking’ is becoming increasingly common – over 80% of this age group regularly watch TV while engaging with other media devices...Full press release

Source: OFCOM, United Kingdom

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is seeking public comment on its proposals to make available three multiplex transmitter licences for digital radio services in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and two multiplex licences for Adelaide, Hobart and Perth. The multiplex licences will provide for the digital transmission of existing wide-coverage national, commercial and community radio services.

The proposals are contained in draft digital radio channel plans released today. The plans include the number and categories of multiplex transmitter licences proposed for issue as well as the transmission frequencies and associated technical data for the main transmission sites. Full press release

Source: ACMA, Australia

The Australian Communications and Media Authority proposes to revoke additional licence conditions on Radio Larrakia’s community radio broadcasting licence in Darwin and invites submissions on the proposal. Radio Larrakia broadcasts on 94.5 MHz.

The additional licence conditions, which were imposed when the licence was allocated in 1998, require Radio Larrakia Association (the licensee) to include Top End Aboriginal Bush Broadcasting Association and Larrakia Nation on its board and sub-committees and to open membership to all Darwin residents.

Radio Larrakia has submitted a proposed constitution and requested that ACMA revoke the additional licence conditions. Full press release

Source: ACMA, Australia

OTTAWA-GATINEAU — The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced that it will issue its decision on the Canadian Television Fund (CTF) before the end of December, rather than on September 15, due to the high level of interest generated by the process and the complexity of the issues.

The Commission launched a public process on June 29, 2007, the same day that the Task Force on the Canadian Television Fund published its report. The report contained a number of recommendations to improve the funding of Canadian programs, increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the CTF, and enhance the participation of broadcasting distributors, such as cable and satellite companies, in the CTF. During the public process, Canadians and stakeholders from the broadcasting industry were invited to submit their views on the implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations. Full press release

Source: CRTC, Canada

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has directed Queanbeyan Community Radio Inc, the licensee of community radio station 2QBN, to take steps aimed at ensuring it complies with the conditions of its community broadcasting licence and the Community Radio Code.

The directions are issued under new enforcement powers conferred on ACMA in February 2007, to enable it to more effectively address contraventions of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. Full press release

Source: ACMA, Australia

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has directed the licensee of Perth youth community radio station Groove FM to take steps aimed at ensuring compliance with the additional conditions of the station’s community broadcasting licence. On 5 July 2007 ACMA found that the licensee, Youth Media Society of Western Australia, had failed to comply with additional conditions ACMA imposed on its licence in May 2006.

The directions are issued under new enforcement powers conferred on ACMA in February 2007, to enable it to more effectively address contraventions of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. It is the first time the power to issue a remedial direction has been used in relation to a community broadcasting licensee. Contravening a requirement of a remedial direction issued by ACMA is an offence under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, and a penalty of up to $5,500 per day may be imposed. Full Press release

Source: ACMA, Australia

Washington, DC – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today took steps to promote competition in the marketplace for video programming by adopting a Report and Order (“Order”) which ensures competitive multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”) continue to have access to essential programming. The Report & Order extends the ban of exclusive contracts between vertically integrated programmers and cable operators to October 5, 2012. A vertically integrated programmer is one that is affiliated with a cable operator or other covered MVPD’s. This ban had already been in place and was set to expire October 5, 2007.

See more

Source: FCC

Ofcom today announces the award of the new local Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio multiplex licence to cover Northeast Wales and West Cheshire.

This is one of a number of new local radio multiplex licences planned to develop DAB coverage for services in those parts of the country not already served. This licensing process will lead to a significant expansion in digital radio services throughout the UK. Full press release

Source: OFCOM, United Kingdom

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has registered a revised version of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice. The code has been amended at clause 5.6 to permit an additional minute per hour of political non-program matter to be broadcast between 6:00 pm and midnight during election periods.

'ACMA is satisfied that the commercial free-to-air television industry peak body, Free TV Australia, has fulfilled the requirement for public consultation on this matter as set out in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992,' said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. 'Based on the evidence provided from submissions, there was no strong view that the proposed amendment would result in a lessening of community safeguards during an election period.' Ful lPress release

Source: ACMA, Australia

Geneva, 4 September 2007 — ITU has released a major publication, Trends in Telecommunication Reform: the Road to NGN. In its 8th edition, Trends reports on the evolution of circuit-switched telecommunication into "next-generation" networks, as operators around the world fight to remain competitive. The Report aims at enabling regulators and policy-makers in developing countries to better understand the changes transforming the ICT sector so they can evolve their policy and regulatory frameworks to leverage today’s technological and market developments.

What does NGN mean for regulators? They have many choices to make. Some view NGN as the intersection of the telecom and Internet worlds. If so, which regulatory regime should apply? The current heavily-regulated telecom regulatory model? The lightly-regulated Internet model? Or some new hybrid model? The migration to NGN affords an opportunity for regulators to analyze current practices and revise them in light of what makes sense going forward. This Trends report offers a detailed discussion of the kinds of measures that are needed to ensure that regulation keeps pace with technological and market developments so that the best of NGN is available to all of the world’s people.

The ITU press release is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

More information about the content of the 2007 report is available at the “On the Road to NGN” website.

The publication is available for sale at the ITU bookshop.

Washington, DC – The Federal Communications Commission today announced the agenda topics and tentative speakers for the Digital Television Consumer Education Workshop to be held Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at FCC Headquarters, 445 12^th St., SW, Washington, DC, in the Commission Meeting Room.  It will begin at 8:00 AM and end at 3:45 PM.   

 

          The purpose of the workshop is to provide an opportunity for all interested parties to jointly discuss the challenges associated with the upcoming transition and explore ways to develop coordinated consumer education activities. Organizations representing a broad range of consumers and other stakeholders will be represented, including those who represent senior citizens, low-income consumers, non-English speakers, people with disabilities, tribes, and public interest organizations working on behalf of underserved customers or those living in rural areas.  A preliminary agenda is attached. Full Press release

 

Source: Federal Communication Comission (FCC), USA

The existing commercial television licensees in Remote and Regional Western Australia have until 21 November 2007 to indicate to the Australian Communications and Media Authority that they intend to apply for a third, digital only, free-to-air commercial television licence for the licence area.

ACMA has determined a designated time of 23 August 2007 as the time from which WIN Television Pty Ltd and Prime Television Pty Ltd will have 90 days to give written notice, either jointly or separately, to ACMA stating their intention to apply for the licence. Full Press release

Source: ACMA, Australia

A report from the European Commission declared Germany to be the fastest growing broadband market in the EU. The number of high speed connections rising by 4.34 million in 2006 to 14.9 million.

See article 

Source: Telegeography

Ofcom intends to end the National Frequency Assignment Panel (NFAP) frequency coordination and the Working Group on Radio site clearance (WGRSC) processes.

When applying to use radio spectrum in the UK, applicants are currently required to complete NFAP frequency co-ordination and WGRSC site clearance processes, operated by Ofcom on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

These processes were originally designed to ensure effective coordination between different users of the radio spectrum and to protect certain radio services such as government spectrum users. However, following a review of these processes, Ofcom will remove the requirement for applicants to complete them to reduce the regulatory burden on spectrum users. Ofcom will continue to facilitate some clearance processes in order to protect against interference. Full Press release

Source: OFCOM, United Kingdom

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has imposed additional licence conditions on the community radio broadcasting licence for the New South Wales 2RBR Coraki community radio service.

‘Community broadcasters have a responsibility to meet the needs and interests of the community within the planned licence area,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. ‘They also must comply with the technical specifications of their apparatus licence and, in particular, they must not broadcast outside the licence area except in limited circumstances.’ Full Press release

Source: ACMA, Australia

Washington, DC – Today, the FCC released a new DTV Table which provides television stations across the country with their final channel assignments for broadcasting following the DTV transition on February 17, 2009. The new DTV Table specifies channels for over 1,800 stations. This is a significant and necessary step towards completing the transition to digital television. DTV provides consumers with better quality television picture and sound, and can make new services available through multicasting. The switch from analog to digital technology will also make valuable spectrum available for public safety uses and expanded wireless competition and innovation. Full Press release

Source: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), USA

The Australian Communications and Media Authority will not proceed with the allocation of a permanent community broadcasting licence that was advertised for the Young licence area in New South Wales.

There was one applicant for the permanent licence, Lambing Flat Community Broadcasting Inc., which already provides a temporary community broadcasting service in the area. The applicant proposed to provide a service for the general community within the licence area. Full Press Release

Source: ACMA, Australia

Incorporated owners and building managers are advised by the Office of the Telecommunications Authority ("OFTA") to check and, if necessary, upgrade their In-building Coaxial Cable Distribution Systems ("IBCCDS") for reception of Digital Terrestrial Television ("DTT") signals, if their buildings are located in the initial coverage area of DTT broadcasting, which will be launched later this year.

According to the implementation framework earlier announced by the Government, Asia Television Limited ("ATV") and Television Broadcasts Limited ("TVB") shall start simulcasting of both DTT and analogue TV programmes by the end of 2007. At service launch, ATV and TVB's DTT service will be transmitted by the main transmission station at Temple Hill and it will cover the Kowloon peninsula, northern Hong Kong Island, Shatin and eastern Lantau Island. Full Press release

Source: OFTA, Hong Kong

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today released, for an eighth consecutive year, its Broadcasting Policy Monitoring Report. The report reveals that this industry is continuing to expand and that new media are becoming an increasingly important part of Canadians’ lives.

Source: CRTC

Full Report available at:

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/NEWS/RELEASES/2007/r070731.htm

Washington, DC – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) which seeks comment on potential DTV consumer education initiatives. Among other things, the NPRM seeks comment on requiring broadcasters, multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs), retailers and manufacturers to take certain actions to publicize the digital transition. It will facilitate the upcoming transition to digital on February 17, 2009, a deadline established by Congress.  A successful completion of the digital transition depends upon ensuring that appropriate policies are in place to minimize the burdens and costs borne by consumers. It also depends on government and industry working together in promoting consumer awareness. Full Press Release

Source: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), United States

Ofcom today published proposals to strengthen viewer and consumer protection for participation television. Participation television is programming which invites viewers to interact, most often by using premium rate telephone services (PRS).

Richard Ayre’s Inquiry

The inquiry into PRS in television programming, published last week, recommended that broadcasters should be held directly accountable for their use of PRS. Ofcom today sets out proposals to implement these recommendations. Full Press release

Source: OFCOM, United Kingdom

New Delhi, 24th July 2007 - TRAI has today released a consultation paper on Headend-In-The-Sky (HITS). HITS is a satellite based delivery platform for delivering multi channel television signals to cable operators across the country. It is capable of delivering TV signals in digital form with addressability feature. The HITS operator uplinks signals of TV channels of different broadcasters to his HITS satellite in the sky. The cable operators across the country then downlink these TV channels from this HITS satellite for further distribution to the subscribers through their cable network in digital form.

Source: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), India

 

Ofcom today announces the award of seven new community radio licences.

Community radio is a new tier of radio which complements the mix of services already provided by the BBC and commercial radio sectors. Community radio services typically cover a small geographical area and are provided on a not-for-profit basis focusing on the delivery of specific social benefits to enrich a particular geographical community or a community of interest.

Ofcom has awarded community radio licences in the following areas in Scotland and Northern Ireland:

• Stonehaven and the Mearns, South Aberdeenshire
• St Boswells, Borders
• Dunoon, Argyll
• Glasgow
• Barrhead, East Renfrewshire
• Lisburn
• Belfast

Source: OFCOM, United Kingdom

Bern, 04.07.2007 - The Federal Council has decided to divide Switzerland into 13 new coverage areas for partially fee-funded regional television stations. In addition, it has defined 34 coverage areas for private VHF radio stations. It is expected that the radio and TV licences will be put out to tender in early autumn 2007.

By its decision today, the Federal Council has laid the basis for the upcoming licensing procedure. The Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) will be awarding a licence within each of the new coverage areas as part of a public tender procedure. Radio and television stations will require a licence only if they receive fee revenue or if they wish to use scarce frequencies under preferential conditions. In the other cases, transmission may begin after notification to the Federal Office of Communications. This is prescribed in the Law on Radio and Television (LRTV) which entered into force on 1 April 2007.

Regional television: new coverage areas

The new LRTV makes significantly more reception fee revenue available to support regional TV broadcasters - CHF 32 million annually, instead of the previous CHF 7 million. The intention is to enable a high-quality regional public service to be provided even in those regions where the economic potential is insufficient for private-sector finance. In order to ensure that the fee revenue is used as efficiently as possible, the Federal Council is limiting the number of subsidised TV broadcasters to 13 - one for each coverage area. The new coverage areas generally include several cantons, in order to create areas which are economically sound and culturally cohesive. Special mention should be made of the new Waadt-Freiburg coverage area in French-speaking Switzerland, which provides for a programming window for the canton of Freiburg, and the Arc Jurassien coverage area, which links the cantons of Neuenburg and Jura and the Bernese Jura. The canton of Valais constitutes a unitary coverage area in which the future licensee will be obliged to broadcast programmes in French and German.

In the case of the configuration of the Zurich-Eastern Switzerland area, the Federal Council has decided to establish two coverage areas. One will include the cantons of Zurich, Schaffhausen and Thurgau. The corresponding broadcaster will receive a proportion of reception fees for the production of its own programming window for the cantons of Schaffhausen and Thurgau. In order to take into account the concerns of the cantons of eastern Switzerland, the future eastern Switzerland coverage area will concentrate on the cantons of St. Gallen, Appenzell (AR, AI) and on the Arbon and Bischofszell areas of eastern Thurgau.

VHF radio stations: modest evolution of existing coverage areas

The Federal Council has defined the VHF coverage areas with reference to the existing radio landscape as it has evolved over the last twenty years. The existing coverage areas are being adapted appropriately; only one new VHF radio station is envisaged. In large urban areas, the Federal Council wishes to promote competition by giving peripheral local radio stations access to the nearby centre.

In 23 of the 34 coverage areas, there will be an invitation to tender for licences with partial funding from reception fees. Nine of these licences are envisaged for complementary, non-profit oriented broadcasters. In future, some CHF 16 million will be available for private radio stations entitled to receive a proportion of reception fees, instead of the previous CHF 7 million. In the other eleven coverage areas, licences without support from reception fees will be put out to tender.

One of the essential innovations is the harmonisation of the coverage areas in the Lake Geneva area, the Zurich region and central Switzerland respectively. Four large new coverage areas of identical size will be established in the area between Geneva and Yverdon. Within the Zurich-Glarus conurbation, three commercial broadcasters with identical coverage areas will start transmitting. In central Switzerland too, the three broadcasters will in future overlap within a significant part of their coverage area. Mergers of previously separate coverage areas will take place in the cantons of the Grisons, St. Gallen and the Arc Jurassien. As the final major conurbation of German-speaking Switzerland, Winterthur gets a new coverage area for a complementary, non-profit oriented station.

The next steps: invitation to tender for licences, publication of the fee element and performance mandates

Now that the Federal Council has defined the contours of the regional broadcasting landscape in terms of media polity, DETEC will be preparing the invitation to tender for the corresponding licences. This is expected to take place in early autumn 2007. At that time, DETEC will also announce the amounts of the fee elements for the individual coverage areas and the specific content of the respective performance mandates. It is expected that the new licences will be awarded from the spring of 2008 onwards.

Source: OFCOM, Switzerland

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OTTAWA-GATINEAU — The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today published the report of the Task Force on the Canadian Television Fund (CTF). The report highlights the importance of the role played by the CTF and the Canadian independent production sector in the creation of quality Canadian television programs, and of the contributions paid to the CTF by the Canadian government. The Task Force recommends certain measures to improve the funding of Canadian programs, increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the CTF, and enhance the participation of broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs) in the CTF.

“The Task Force’s report recognizes the importance of the CTF for the production of Canadian programs,” said Michel Arpin, the CRTC’s Vice-Chair of Broadcasting and Chairman of the Task Force on the CTF. “The CTF’s mandate must be reviewed to include two components: one that will continue to conform to the Contribution Agreement with the Department of Canadian Heritage and a second with a more commercial outlook in order to reflect the important role of the contributions of the distribution undertakings in the financing of Canadian television productions.”

The Task Force recommends that the CRTC’s Broadcasting Distribution Regulations be amended to better reflect an orientation more focused on the market. It also proposes amendments to the Regulations to clarify that BDU contributions to the CTF are to be made on a monthly basis. In addition, the Task Force proposes that the CTF allocate a portion of its funds to the development of productions for new media platforms.

Independent producers benefit directly from the funds allocated by the CTF while sitting on its Board of Directors, which can give the appearance of a conflict of interest. The Task Force recommends that independent producers should no longer be members of the CTF Board of Directors, but that their perspectives should continue to form an important part of the CTF’s deliberations.

Source: CRTC, Canada

Ofcom announced today that it will conduct a public consultation on proposals from BSkyB (Sky) and National Grid Wireless Ltd (NGW) to replace Sky’s free channels with pay TV services on the digital terrestrial television (DTT) platform. Following Sky's indicative announcement of these plans on 8 February 2007, Ofcom has been supplied with further detail by the two companies and now has sufficient information to review the proposals. Sky is seeking to replace its three existing free-to-air channels with three pay television channels on DTT. However, Sky is not proposing to use MPEG4 compression technology at this stage, as originally stated in its previous announcement. The applications raise a number of important issues, including a consideration of how Ofcom can best ensure fair and effective competition for the benefit of consumers. Ofcom expects to issue a consultation document in the autumn, provided there are no further delays in the conclusion of outstanding technical and commercial issues between the applicants. Ofcom’s normal consultation period is ten weeks. This will be followed by a Statement, which Ofcom would hope to publish early next year. In the meantime, NGW is obliged to ensure that Sky’s free-to-air channels remain on the DTT platform pending the outcome of Ofcom’s review. Source: OFCOM

Battle Looms in US Over Royalty Fees for Internet Radio Webcasters across the United States fell silent on 26 June in an effort to influence the passage of legislation reversing royalty rate increases many say will kill radio delivered over the Internet. The “Internet Radio Equality Act,” introduced in the Senate and the House of Representatives, responds to a ruling by the US Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) that webcasters claim will raise payments for digital public performances of sound recordings by 300 percent to 1200 percent.

Link to the article by Dugie Standeford for Intellectual Property Watch : http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/index_test.php?p=670

Source: IPW

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority has released an issues paper as part of its review of the Children’s Television Standards on free-to-air commercial television. ACMA invites public comment on its Children’s Television Standards Review - Issues Paper by 17 August 2007.

‘ACMA is reviewing the Children’s Television Standards, given that they have not been reviewed for some time,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. ‘We recognise that television content standards—such as the Children’s Television Standards —will need to be comprehensively reviewed over the coming years as the media landscape changes but consider that useful improvements can be made to aspects of the standards now.’

The issues paper outlines key issues to be considered in the review including whether:

• the current Children’s (C) and Preschool (P) program quota levels, classification criteria and time bands are still appropriate today;
• the current classification process for C and P programs impedes innovation in children’s programming; and
• the standards should be amended to specifically address the issue of food advertising directed at children.

ACMA recognises the strong interest in, and debate on, the role of food advertising on television and its impact on children’s health and the paper raises some options for consideration. ACMA has also released a literature review, which has informed development of the issues paper and should provide intending contributors with a guide to some diverse perspectives.

ACMA is also interested in exploring viable options that might help start building a bridge to the future Australian media environment and is therefore interested in whether, for example, a tradeable obligations scheme would be useful and still meet the objective of specifically catering for children in programming.

Instructions on how to make submissions are included in the issues paper. ACMA will publish all submissions as they are received on its website, subject to consideration of any confidentiality claims.

Following the public consultation period, recommendations for any changes will be made and a redrafted Children’s Television Standards released for public consultation, as required under legislation. ACMA expects that the review will be finalised in the first half of 2008.

Source: ACMA, Australia

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority has accepted formal undertakings from Harbour Radio Pty Ltd, the licensee of commercial radio service 2GB Sydney, concerning new training procedures on vilification in response to a number of breaches of a provision of the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice 2004 (the code).

In three investigations over the last six months, ACMA has found the licensee in breach of the vilification provision of the code for broadcasts that occurred between May and December 2005. Clause 1.3(e) of the code provides that a licensee must not broadcast a program which is likely to incite or perpetuate hatred against or vilify any person or group on the basis of a number of attributes, including ethnicity.

In response to these findings, 2GB will introduce a comprehensive training program on vilification intended to ensure its future compliance with the code. These procedures will supplement the revised regime that the licensee of 2GB introduced in mid 2006 and means the licensee’s approach on this matter should better align with the code.

The new training is to be provided to all presenters, producers and on-air staff to the satisfaction of ACMA.

The 2GB Board of Directors will formally review and approve the compliance program for implementation and the licensee will report to ACMA throughout the process on the development and application of the new regime.

If ACMA is not satisfied at any time that the new arrangements will ensure compliance with the code, ACMA will revisit the matter to consider the heightened compliance options available to it.

2GB accepts this position and has reiterated its commitment to meeting its responsibilities under the code.

ACMA welcomes the considered and constructive approach taken by 2GB in developing a program of activities that specifically addresses ACMA’s concerns.

Source: ACMA, Australia

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority has renewed the licence of the New South Wales community broadcasting service 2RBR Coraki, while proposing to impose additional licence conditions.

The licence conditions are to ensure that the licensee, Community Radio Coraki Association Inc., provides both a high quality service to the Coraki community and meets its regulatory obligations.

‘ACMA is charged with promoting the availability of a diverse range of radio services throughout Australia, as well as ensuring that broadcasters meet all their statutory obligations. This decision, with the proposal to impose licence conditions, successfully balances both of these objectives and represents an acceptable outcome to the renewal process,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

In the course of renewing the 2RBR licence, ACMA questioned the licensee about the extent to which the service meets the programming needs of the community within the Coraki licence area and its capacity to provide the service in accordance with its licence conditions.

The two matters of most concern to ACMA are that the majority of the station’s members and sponsors are located outside the planned licence area for the service, and that the licensee has established a second studio in Casino which is also outside the licence area.

2RBR has undertaken to take positive action to ensure that it addresses ACMA’s concerns, and ACMA has taken this into account in deciding to renew the licence.

ACMA will also closely monitor 2RBR’s programs to ensure that it complies with the requirement to present factual material accurately. ACMA’s concerns about 2RBR’s programming arise from its finding in September 2006 that 2RBR had failed to present factual material accurately. Failure to comply with the relevant clause of the code of practice may result in ACMA taking enforcement action against the licensee.

ACMA will consider any submission from the licensee on its proposal to impose the licence conditions before making a final decision on the condition.

Source: ACMA, Australia

World Intellectual Property Organization members are engaged in a critical weeklong meeting that will determine the fate of a proposed WIPO treaty on broadcasters’ rights. At the end of a second slow day, it was unclear which way it will go, according to participants, but things are intensifying and WIPO is watching closely, they said. “This meeting is absolutely crucial,” WIPO Deputy Director General Michael Keplinger told Intellectual Property Watch. “It is necessary that we achieve some consensus.�

Link to the complete article by William New
http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/index_test.php?p=661

Source: IPW

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Chile's government will evaluate over the next three months the technical aspects and other implications that choosing one of the three digital TV standards could have on the broadcast industry, the country's telecommunications and transport minister René Cortázar told press.

As regards technical issues, the ministry will measure both the quality of reception of the signal in homes as well as the overall coverage for the US's ATSC, Europe's DVB, and Japan's ISDB standards, Cortázar said at the second government sponsored debate on Digital TV held in Chile's capital Santiago.

Another study will consider the general economic advantages and disadvantages of one standard over another, such as the cost of set-top boxes.

Among Cortázar's priorities are interactive TV, more channels and a higher quality of image, though he sees increased content as being one of the main advantages derived from digital TV.

"More diversity, this is the big advantage offered by digital TV," Cortázar said.

Cortázar replaced Sergio Espejo as the telecoms ministry in March, right when the government was reportedly on the verge of choosing a standard. The decision was postponed until further studies had been carried out. Although the studies are set for completion in three months, Cortázar gave no indication of when a final decision could be made.

However, speaking on the sidelines of the seminar, the head of telecoms regulator Subtel, Pablo Bello, told reporters he was confident a decision would be made this year.

Furthermore, the government is considering an 8-10 year grace period before analog TV is completely replaced by digital TV, Bello added.

Of the three standards, ATSC has seen the most recent adoption in Latin America, when Honduras chose the standard. Brazil went with the ISDB format to form its own hybrid standard in mid-2006.

Source:Business News Americas

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority has decided to extend the community television trial in Adelaide until 4 July 2008. The trial will continue to be conducted by the current operator, C31.

‘C31 continues to meet the criteria for a community television triallist,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. ‘ACMA notes that C31 has not met its projected financial target, but is satisfied that it is currently solvent. C31 has been providing quarterly financial reports to ACMA and will continue to do so in the coming financial year.’

In June 2006, ACMA decided not to allocate a permanent community television licence in Adelaide on the basis that neither of the two applicants for the licence (C31 and OUR TV Adelaide Ltd) satisfied the relevant criteria. Instead ACMA extended the community television trial for six months to 4 January 2007 and sought expressions of interest for a future trial. There were two applications for the trial licence, from C31 and Television Adelaide Ltd.

In December 2006, ACMA decided that C31 met the criteria in the Access and Compliance Statement for a Trial Community Television Service and extended the trial in Adelaide to 4 July 2007. The decision was made on the basis of written undertakings provided by C31 in relation to meeting the needs of the local community, encouraging participation in the service and financial reporting.

Source: ACMA, Australia

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The Telecommunications Authority (TA) today (4 June 2007) announced the adoption of the National Standard as the technical standard for the digital terrestrial television (DTT) service in Hong Kong.

"The Government has adopted a market-led approach which allows the free-to-air television broadcasters, namely Asia Television Limited (ATV) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), to propose the DTT technical standard of their choice for assessment by the TA. The two broadcasters unanimously indicated their preference for the National Standard. After considering their proposals and having regard to the satisfactory outcome of the laboratory tests and field trials with the proposed standard, the TA has decided to adopt the National Standard as the transmission standard for DTT in Hong Kong," a spokesperson of the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) said.

Following the adoption of DTT transmission standard, the TA will publish the technical specification for DTT receivers within this month so that manufacturers will be able to produce and supply the appropriate DTT set-top boxes and integrated TV sets (DTT receivers) for the Hong Kong market.

"The receiver specification, which will consist of a basic-tier and a higher-tier, is to cater for the different business plans of the two broadcasters and the versatile needs of consumers," said the spokesperson.

The basic-tier receivers will allow consumers to receive the four existing local free-to-air television programme channels transmitted in digital format. The higher-tier receivers will allow consumers to enjoy all DTT programmes, including new programmmes and high-definition television (HDTV) programmes.

According to the stipulation of the Government, two broadcasters shall simulcast both digital and analogue terrestrial television before the end of 2007.

"By that time, members of the public can still enjoy the analogue television programmes and satellite television programmes without the need of any additional equipment. If members of the public would like to receive the new DTT programmes, they will need to procure DTT receivers in compliance with the specification set out for the Hong Kong market. As to management offices / incorporated owners of multi-storey buildings, they will need to upgrade their communal aerial broadcast distribution systems so that the DTT service is receivable by individual residents of the buildings. OFTA will, via a variety of channels, remind the building management offices / incorporated owners to upgrade their aerial systems before the launch of DTT service," said OFTA's spokesperson.

"No DTT receivers are available in the market yet. Consumers who wish to receive the DTT programmes need not rush to buy receivers now. We expect that such receivers will gradually be available in the market for consumers' choice in the coming three to six months. DTT will be launched in phases and when DTT is first launched by end 2007, only 50% of Hong Kong will be covered by digital signals. Hence, consumers shall also check whether their residences are covered by DTT service and their aerial systems are able to receive such service before making the purchase decision," said OFTA's spokesperson.

"Existing television sets and displays currently on sale in the market can work with the future DTT set-top boxes. Those television sets which are high-definition ready (HD-ready) with a set-top box connected in future can enjoy HDTV services when DTT is launched. On the other hand, integrated TV sets (with built-in digital decoders) will be available at a later stage," the OFTA's spokesperson explained.

The Government and the broadcasters will mount publicity in relation to DTT and consumer tips for the purchase of DTT receivers nearer the time of the launch of DTT service. For further enquiries, members of the public may surf the Government's website for DTT (http://www.digitaltv.gov.hk) or call OFTA's hotline (2961 6333).

Source: OFTA, Hong Kong

EU Ministers for Culture gathered today on Europe Day at the Cannes International Film Festival to pledge their support for Europe's audiovisual industry at a time when it faces unprecedented change, driven largely by the impact of digital technologies and the resulting change in audience behaviour.

"Technological change and convergence is presenting the audiovisual industry with some tough challenges; but real opportunities lie in store for those that can best adapt," said Viviane Reding, EU Media Commissioner. "I feel that the political commitment expressed today will pave the way for the European audiovisual industry to become a powerhouse for Europe."

The EU Ministers' commitment to the audiovisual sector was underlined by their adoption in yesterday's meeting of the Culture Council, of the Audiovisual Media Services without frontiers directive (see IP/07/706). This will modernise the rules for traditional and emerging audiovisual media services in response to technological change and gives more flexibility to European TV- and filmmakers to produce digital content thanks to more relaxed advertising rules.

Ministers also discussed how audiovisual policy needs to keep up with developments in film making and distribution, and the impact of technology.

Policy initiatives taken by the Commission to support and invigorate Europe's audiovisual sector include:

• The recently-launched MEDIA 2007 programme (see IP/07/169) establishes the move to digital technologies as a horizontal priority and April's call for proposals for Video On Demand and Digital Cinema Distribution projects is an important first step in financially supporting EU players.

• The European Film Online Charter endorsed by major industry players on Europe Day in 2006 (see IP/06/672) to stimulate a vibrant European online film industry.

• Content Online is estimated to grow by over 400% during the next five years (see IP/07/95). To capitalise on this tremendous opportunity for Europe, in July this year, the Commission will publish its Content Online communication, setting out its views on how

• Recognising the importance of mobile TV to Europe - by 2009 the worldwide market will worth €11.4 billion - the Commission urged industry and Member States to be more proactive in developing a common Europe strategy (see IP/07/340). In July the Commission's will issue a communication proposing what steps it feels are needed to make will mobile TV a success in Europe.

Evidence that EU support to Europe's film industry is having positive results can be found at major international festivals such as Cannes, Berlin and at the Oscars (see IP/07/677).

While efforts are being made to boost the sector, the Commission also recognises the need for transparency, freedom of expression and diversity in Europe's media landscape. To better understand this and how best to preserve it, the Commission has outlined a three-step approach on safeguarding media pluralism (see IP/07/52).

For more on Europe's audiovisual and media policies:
http://ec.europa.eu/avpolicy/

and the latest on the 'Audiovisual Media Services Without Frontiers' Directive MEMO/07/206.
For more information:

http://www.festival-cannes.com/index.php/en/archives/event/4438675

OTTAWA-GATINEAU — The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has introduced changes to the way it regulates conventional television broadcasters. These measures will ensure Canadians have access to digital and high-definition television programming, and that broadcasters continue to contribute to the production, acquisition and broadcast of high-quality Canadian programming.

Notably, the Commission has decided to:

• remove restrictions on advertising time limits after gradually increasing the amount of advertising allowed;
• establish August 31, 2011, as the date by which television licensees will only broadcast digital signals;
• require English- and French-language broadcasters to caption for the hearing impaired 100 per cent of their programs over the 18-hour broadcast day, with the exception of advertising and promotions; and
• deny a subscriber fee for the carriage of local conventional television stations on cable and satellite as its necessity has not been demonstrated.

“These changes reflect our approach of developing lighter and more targeted regulation to achieve the objectives of the Broadcasting Act,” said Konrad von Finckenstein, Q.C., Chairman of the CRTC. “Broadcasters will have the flexibility to air more advertising, and Canadians viewers will ultimately decide what is acceptable.”

Source: CRTC, Canada

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has published guidelines for the types of services that may be provided as narrowcasting television services under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.

The guidelines – set out in a paper entitled Narrowcasting Television Services – Guidelines and Information published on ACMA’s website today – have been developed in the context of decisions by the Parliament to allow for a range of new media services for Australian consumers through the allocation of two new licences for digital television services.

Narrowcasting services are legally distinct categories of broadcasting services, which have their reception limited in some way – such as by being targeted to a special interest group. While ACMA must take into account a range of factors when forming an opinion on the category of a service, the content of a service’s programs is the factor most likely to determine whether or not the service is a narrowcasting service.

‘Digital broadcasting technologies promise to dramatically change the way audiences think about and use television. These technologies have the potential to enable a broader choice of program content and formats, aimed at meeting specific audience needs and interests,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

In a digital broadcasting environment where services can be provided in a range of formats, ACMA has chosen not to adopt a prescriptive approach to the definition of ‘narrowcasting service’. ‘ACMA will base its category of service decision on the precise circumstances of that service, particularly the types of programs to be provided and how they will be ‘packaged’,’ said Mr Chapman.

Prospective providers of narrowcasting television services are therefore strongly encouraged to seek binding opinions from ACMA on the categories into which proposed services fall. Such opinions can be sought from ACMA at any time and, once given, remain valid for a minimum of five years. Information on how to apply for a category-of-service opinion and copies of opinions that have been provided are available on the ACMA website.

Source: ACMA, Australia

OTTAWA-GATINEAU — In a notice of public hearing issued today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) launched a public proceeding to review various issues relating to the ownership of Canadian broadcasting companies, with a focus on their impact on the diversity of voices that the broadcasting system provides to Canadians.

“The goal of this proceeding, announced by the Commission on March 13, is to develop a clear and predictable policy that will ensure a diversity of voices, including editorial voices. The adoption of such a policy will further the evolution of the Canadian broadcasting system,” said Konrad von Finckenstein, Chairman of the CRTC. “The Commission intends to adopt a holistic approach that will include all components of the broadcasting industry.”

This comprehensive review of media ownership regulations will consist of an intervention period that will give Canadians sufficient time to express themselves fully, followed by a public hearing, starting on 17 September 2007 in Gatineau. In Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2007-5, issued today, the Commission therefore invites comments from interested parties on the various issues it proposes to address, particularly those relating to the ownership of broadcasting companies. Comments must be received by the Commission no later than 18 July 2007. They may be submitted by mail, at the address CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2, by fax, at 819-994-0218, or by completing the Broadcasting Intervention/Comments Form.

Furthermore, to ensure journalistic independence in broadcasting entities belonging to companies that own both electronic and print media, the Commission today issued a public notice (Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2007-41) inviting comments by 18 July 2007 on a code prepared by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC), to which broadcasters that are members of the CBSC will be required to adhere. The Commission will examine the comments it receives as part of its diversity of voices review launched today.

Source: CRTC, Canada

Washington, DC – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today adopted a Second Report and Order, First Order on Reconsideration, and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Order) that will advance the offering of digital radio services to American consumers, as part of the broader digital migration that is underway across all media.  The Second Report and Order adopts several rules that will allow terrestrial radio broadcasters to provide increased local services to their communities.

 

            In October 2002, the FCC selected IBOC as the technology enabling AM and FM radio broadcast stations to begin digital operations.  IBOC is a method of transmitting near-CD quality audio signals to radio receivers along with new data services such as station, song and artist identification, stock and news information, as well as local traffic and weather bulletins. With IBOC, a radio station is also capable of splitting its digital channel so that it may broadcast multiple streams of digital audio programming. Importantly, IBOC allows broadcasters to use their current radio spectrum to transmit AM and FM analog signals simultaneously with new digital signals.

 

Since the Commission first authorized Digital Audio Broadcasting (“DAB”) on an interim basis, over 1200 stations have notified the Commission that they have commenced or intend to commence hybrid digital broadcasting.  Radio stations broadcasting in a digital format using in-band on-channel (“IBOC”) technology are able to offer listeners enhanced sound quality, improved reception, as well as new multicasting and datacasting services. 

 

In today’s Order, the Commission:

 

·        Refrains from imposing a mandatory conversion schedule for radio stations to commence digital broadcast operations;

·        Allows FM radio stations to operate in the extended hybrid digital mode;

·        Requires that each local radio station broadcasting in digital mode to simulcast a digital signal of at least comparable audio quality to its analog signal;

·        Adopts a flexible bandwidth policy permitting a radio station to transmit high quality audio, multiple program streams, and data casting services at its discretion; 

·        Allows radio stations to time broker unused digital bandwidth to third parties, subject to certain regulatory requirements;

·        Applies existing programming and operational statutory and regulatory requirements to all free DAB programming streams;

·        Authorizes AM nighttime operations; 

·        Dismisses several pending Petitions for Reconsideration and Petitions for Rulemaking that asked, inter alia, the Commission to reconsider the adoption of iBiquity’s in-band, on-channel (IBOC) system as the technology chosen for DAB transmission;

·        Seeks further comment on appropriate limits to the amount of subscription services that may be offered by radio stations; and

·        Seeks comment on whether the Commission should adopt any new public interest requirements for digital audio broadcasters.

           

Source: FCC, USA

 

      

In this Report and Order (“Order”), we adopt rules and provide guidance to implement Section 621(a)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”), which prohibits franchising authorities from unreasonably refusing to award competitive franchises for the provision of cable services. We find that the current operation of the local franchising process in many jurisdictions constitutes an unreasonable barrier to entry that impedes the achievement of the interrelated federal goals of enhanced cable competition and accelerated broadband deployment. We further find that Commission action to address this problem is both authorized and necessary. Accordingly, we adopt measures to address a variety of means by which local franchising authorities, i.e., county- or municipallevel franchising authorities (“LFAs”), are unreasonably refusing to award competitive franchises. We anticipate that the rules and guidance we adopt today will facilitate and expedite entry of new cable competitors into the market for the delivery of video programming, and accelerate broadband deployment consistent with our statutory responsibilities.[...]

Source: FCC, R&O & NPRM.

 

Upon entrustment of R&D for expansion of radio frequency resources for FY2007, MIC invites public proposals thereon during the period from March 1 through 30, 2007.
R&D for expansion of radio frequency resources for FY2007 is to be implemented by the budget of the Spectrum User Fee System. Specifying R&D themes for expansion of radio frequency resources, MIC entrust those R&D activities to research institutes of the private sector, etc. through public proposal procedures.
Those wishing to apply for R&D, please follow the guidance and send applications no later than March 30, 2007.
The R&D themes and guidance thereof (Japanese-language version) are available at the following websites:
http://www.soumu.go.jp
http://www.e-gov.go.jp
After evaluation by the outside experts, MIC will select research institutes to be entrusted by the end of April 2007.

Source: MIC, Japan

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has released guidelines (PDF 244 kb) relating to its use of enforcement powers under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.

‘In developing the guidelines ACMA has attempted to strike a balance between providing certainty and clarity to the broadcasting industry and allowing ACMA the capacity to take a responsive, proportionate and flexible approach to regulatory action,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. ‘ACMA will review the guidelines on an annual basis to ensure to they remain relevant and appropriate.’

Draft guidelines were released for public comment on 13 December 2006. Submissions received on the draft have been incorporated in the final guidelines.

The guidelines set out the matters that ACMA will take into account in making enforcement decisions, and the principles ACMA proposes to apply in using some of its broadcasting enforcement powers. These principles are as follows:

• ACMA recognises the importance of encouraging and facilitating compliance by all industry participants with statutory obligations;
• ACMA’s compliance activities may be both proactive and reactive;
• Enforcement decisions must not be influenced by bias, conflicts of interest or irrelevant considerations (such as gender, race, religion, political views or affiliation);
• Enforcement action should be proportionate to the impact of the breach or risk of future breach;
• Any enforcement action should, so far as possible, seek to address any systemic or ongoing element that may give rise to future breaches; and
• The circumstances of each breach will be separately considered.

Source: ACMA, Australia

The two day Executive Level Training organized by the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) and infoDev, in cooperation with the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA), Hong Kong, China, ended on 3 December 2006. More than 50 Senior Executives from 27 countries gathered in Hong Kong, China to participate in this event.

The training focused on New Technologies, New thinking, ICT Regulation in a Changing World and highlighted how the joint ITU-infoDev ICT regulation toolkit could help regulators and policy makers. The ICT Regulation Toolkit and the training programme were designed to enable regulators and policy makers to identify solutions to their real world challenges. Nearly ninety percent of the participants expressed a high level of satisfaction and the wish to continue such training. The joint ITU infoDev ICT Regulation Toolkit was very well received and generated a lot of positive feedback. To learn more about this event, click here. To access the ICT regulation toolkit, click here.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has declared that the recent launch of IPTV services by state-owned telco Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) is illegal, according to the Economic Times. The TRAI says that IPTV is not covered by the country’s Cable Televisions Networks (Regulations) Act and may only be launched by companies holding a Unified Access Service Licence (USAL). At present MTNL holds a cable TV operating concession but no USAL. The TRAI has asked the ministry of information and broadcasting for a legal ruling on the issue.

Source: Telegography

State-run Indian telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) says it will launch a commercial IPTV service in January 2007. The service will initially be available to broadband subscribers in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore. The telco began piloting IPTV in the city of Pune on the country’s Independence Day on 15 August. Pricing for the service has yet to be revealed. BSNL’s sister company MTNL launched the country’s first commercial IPTV services in Delhi and Mumbai this month.

Source: Telegeography

Mexican alternative fixed line operator Maxcom is preparing to launch the country’s first true triple-play service in March 2007, according to BNamericas quoting local daily Reforma. Maxcom already offers a package of telephony, broadband and cable TV in partnership with cable network operator Megacable, but is reportedly ‘at an advanced stage in creating its own TV platform’. The operator has received permission to enter the broadcast market from regulator Cofetel following the recent passing of legislation allowing telephony operators to enter the TV sector, and vice versa, for the first time.

Source: Telegeography

U.K. telecommunications regulator Ofcom criticized a proposed European Union law regulating the Internet, warning that it could devastate the continent's Internet-TV, mobile-multimedia and online-games industries. Under the EU proposal, many Internet "broadcasts" would face the same requirements on advertising content and production quotas as traditional television. The U.K. regulator hired Rand Corp. to conduct an impact-assessment study, which outlined the possible negative effects. There are major uncertainties about the future "trajectory" of Internet TV, the regulator said in a note accompanying the study. "Creators will simply distribute their own material via the open Internet, bypassing the need for any form of commercial relationship with other distributors," the regulator said, adding that Internet broadcasters would move offshore to escape the regulation. The U.K. position is crucial. When the EU proposal was first floated last year, London opposed all extension of broadcasting rules to new media. Ofcom spokesman Simon Bates said the U.K. has realized that some new services will fall under the regulation. The key is to gain exemptions for particularly vulnerable services. "We understand that some TV-like services that look like TV and feel like TV warrant some protection," he said, adding that fledgling services should remain exempt. "Our worst fear would be if blogs are required to be regulated like mass-media television services, with rules for example about offensive content." If infant industries are regulated, Ofcom says they risk being pushed offshore. Even though mobile-phone operators could restrict their services available on the open Internet, the EU regulation would give them "incentives to artificially structure businesses so that the regulatable activity of making and creating content takes place outside the EU." The regulation could devastate Europe's online-games industry, the report added. "Rand Europe finds that this industry is global, and that the added value activity of creating and developing games is highly 'portable,'" the regulator writes. "This industry is therefore highly susceptible to increases in regulation in one territory, however small, especially when that regulation does not have parallels in other territories." The regulator recommends "excluding online games altogether from the scope" of the EU regulation. The European Parliament is scheduled to vote on the proposal by year end. EU governments meeting in the Brussels-based Council of Ministers also must approve it. Intellect, a U.K. trade association, recently said the regulation threatens to stifle services such as on-demand and interactive-video content.

Source: William Echikson, The Wall Street Journal Europe. 

Internet video services will inevitably catch the attention of regulators, said Jonathan Askin, gen. counsel of Pulver.com. "If you think that the policy maker and the people you are disrupting are just going to sit by idly while you bring new technology and deliver your services free of regulation, you're wrong," he said during a sparsely attended panel on regulation at Jeff Pulver's Video on the Net conference here. Just as govt. regulated and affected the VoIP industry, it will regulate online video, he said. Many in govt. need to be educated about existing and new technology before productive regulation can be formulated, said Starz Senior Vp-Govt. Relations Tom Southwick. "(...)

Source: Warren's Washington Internet Daily, Volume 7; Issue 179.

AT&T has announced the launch of a TV streaming service that will deliver an initial line-up of 20 channels of TV programming to computers through broadband (over 500 Kbps) connections. Priced at US$19.99 per month, the service is provided by MobiTV and channels include Fox News, The Weather Channel, The Food Network, The History Channel, and Bloomberg. MobiTV has been making a significant number of deals with mobile networks to deliver streamed TV services around the world, including Orange, Sprint, Telus, Rogers, and the 3 network. This announcement builds on the AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot TV service from MobiTV, which delivers TV programming to laptops connected to AT&T hotspots for US$11.99 per month.
Source: Global Insight.

State-owned telco MTNL looks set to be the first to market IPTV in India, with a commercial launch of its Tri-band service slated for October, according to the Financial Express. The telco has been testing the service in Delhi for more than a year and in Mumbai since July. It will feature a bouquet of free-to-air and pay-TV channels, as well as video-on-demand. Tariffs are yet to be decided but are expected to be similar to current charges of cable TV operators, officials said.

MTNL is still seeking regulatory approval to launch IPTV, which is not currently provided for under either its basic telephony or mobile licences, but is confident of launching by October, or December at the very latest. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has not yet formulated regulations for IPTV, but the government is allowing companies holding unified access service licences (UASLs) to provide services in the interim. Because MTNL does not hold a UASL it must seek special permission to roll out services.

Source: Telegeography

FCC Commissioner Robert M. McDowell believes in a "wait-and-see" approach that allows for market resolutions when it comes to the net neutrality debate or proposed a la carte mandates for video service providers, he told reporters during an Aug. 8 briefing at his Washington office. The wait-and-see approach is one he also favors for issues where Congress might shortly weigh in, such as video franchising reform or universal service support for broadband deployment. Commissioner McDowell said his overall regulatory approach could be distilled down to one word: freedom. "As far as the role of government goes, first of all clear out any unnecessary regulatory underbrush. Let's let free markets and free people team up together as best they can. "But should there be market failure, the government should act in a narrow fashion, [providing a] narrowly tailored cure to any perceived illness in that free market that's preferably if possible sunsetted or at least [put on] a glide path to a sunset provision [so] that once that market failure is cured then we can revert back to having a more deregulatory framework in place," he added. He predicted another major theme during his FCC tenure - his term expires June 30, 2009 - would be the "incredibly powerful consumer demand that has developed just in the past few years of consumers' wanting to pull the content of their choice through the pipe of their choice at the time and place of their choosing and manipulate that content or perhaps create their own and post it and have others pull it. I want to make sure the FCC helps facilitate that demand and ... remove any barriers to entry and any unnecessary regulatory underbrush." His own residential video and broadband communications service options are limited. His five-acre farm in the rapidly congesting Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., is too far from the local telco's central office for digital subscriber line service, and there are too many trees in the southern sky for direct broadcast satellite service, Mr. McDowell said, so he subscribes to analog, expanded basic cable service with cable modem Internet service from Cox Communications, Inc. Regarding the debate over net neutrality, Mr. McDowell said, "Net neutrality is a Rorschach term - it depends on where you sit what it means to you, so it's really not yet defined. At this point it's difficult for government to prophylactically try to address an illness that has not yet occurred. ... Let's wait and see. Let's continue to be vigilant." He added, "Where do you draw the line between legitimate network management issues and what may be determined as discriminatory anticompetitive conduct against your competitors? We'll watch and wait and be vigilant." Asked about concerns expressed by third-party content providers that broadband Internet service providers might "cut them out," the Commissioner said, "They're worried it's going to happen? Let's see if it happens and then we could go from there. Would we have the authority? Yeah, we would. But if it hasn't happened yet, let's see if it happens and go from there." He said that consumer demand "is a terrifically powerful check and balance. If a network owner is going to start restricting folks from either plugging in on the content side or a consumer from plugging in on the consumer side, [it will] eventually go out of business." In that same vein, in response to a reporter's questions about concerns that broadband Internet service subscribers might block or provide inferior service to content and application providers that don't pay extra, he said, "Don't you think if you couldn't get to Google - you and millions of others in this country - [that] there would be pitchforks and torches in the streets and government policy would change overnight - and/or private sector policy?" Asked whether the lack of FCC response to consumer concerns about wireless early termination fees (ETFs) was because consumers had failed to take to the streets with pitchforks, Mr. McDowell said, "That's certainly not the standard. ... We certainly wouldn't want any issues to rise to that level. ... We've had a few meetings on ETFs. It's a very interesting issue to me. I'm still looking into it," he added, citing his wireline focus before joining the Commission and his short time in office thus far.

Regarding video franchising - an area in which the FCC has a pending proceeding to consider whether to intervene to speed the local franchising process - Mr. McDowell said, "Let's see first what Congress does. ... It's Aug. 8 and I don't necessarily want to count out [the possibility that Congress may yet enact communications legislation this year]. ... I don't want to underestimate Sen. [Ted] Stevens [(R., Alaska), the chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee]," who is working to gather enough supporters to force a vote on legislation in the Senate. He added, however, that "should Congress not be able to address that issue this year, I think the Commission does have the authority, under section 621 [of the 1934 Communications Act, as amended] in particular and other parts, and I think there is something the Commission can do to help clear out unnecessary regulatory underbrush. I also want to be sure we don't go too far. If there's a cable coax line down in your backyard and you live in Wyoming, should you be calling Washington or writing Washington to get that fixed?" He said he was still "thinking through" whether there should be a "shot clock" imposed on local franchise negotiations. As for the possibility of using universal service mechanisms to support broadband deployment, the Commissioner said that section 254(b)(3) of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which calls for advanced information and telecommunications services in rural areas "reasonably comparable" to those available in urban areas, addresses that possibility. However, he said the FCC "will wait for Congress to act." One provision of the Senate's version of HR 5252, known as the Advanced Telecommunications and Opportunities Reform Act, calls for a separate rural broadband support fund. He said there were four principles he would like to see implemented with respect to universal service: "(1) Slow the growth of expenditures in the fund - and that does not mean a cap per se; (2) in that there is waste, fraud, and abuse, let's take a look and ferret that out; (3) expand the contribution base - right now we're under this system where we take a lot from a few, the pool of the few, the shrinking, evaporating before our eyes actually; (4) everybody pays less." With respect to proposals for requiring or encouraging cable TV operators to offer video service programming on an a la carte basis, Mr. McDowell said, "It may be that consumer demand forces a private sector resolution to that question, so let's wait and see how that resolves."

ICC, Wireless Issues Discussed

As for the pending intercarrier compensation "Missoula proposal" developed under the auspices of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, Mr. McDowell said, "I certainly welcome that proposal if for nothing else than to kick off a discussion. There's certainly some meritorious arguments made in that proposal. Certainly I think intercarrier compensation is something that needs to be addressed. You know it's again very complex, some argue arcane, and I will look forward to a refreshed record and rolling up my sleeves and looking at it as we go forward." Regarding the ongoing advanced wireless service spectrum auction and the upcoming 700 megahertz auction, the Commissioner said he expected them to lead to "the construction of new delivery platforms that will help spur new technologies, [and] hopefully offer more affordable services with more powerful technologies, so I'm very, very excited." In general, he said, "The wireless industry has been a terrific model of competition for the most part creating a self-regulating atmosphere. ... We want to continue to regulate with the lightest touch possible. Competition in the wireless industry has been a good example of how we can have competition with other technologies." Asked when the FCC would act on wireless carriers' requests for waivers of enhanced "911" rules with respects to handset compliance, which have been pending since last year, Mr. McDowell said, "Certainly I'd like to see some closure on that. ... It's always fair to give industry some certainty, and we'll be following up on that."

Recusal in Mergers Undecided

Asked whether he would be recusing himself from consideration of applications for approval of license and authorization transfers associated with the proposed merger of AT&T, Inc., and BellSouth Corp. the Commissioner said that under law recusal decisions are made by the FCC's general counsel. "In an adjudicatory proceeding such as a merger review or a petition for forbearance or petition for declaratory ruling where there are specific parties involved, should CompTel, my former employer, file in any of those kinds of proceedings for one year from June 1 of this year to June 1 of next year I would be automatically recused. So for that particular merger it remains to be seen," he said. "The recusal period ... actually lasts for a lifetime on rulemakings, if I was substantially involved in a rulemaking - not if CompTel filed, but if I was substantially involved in CompTel filings, which I haven't been for years," because his professional activity has been focused on Congress and the White House, he said. "The way I'm approaching it is if I'm recused, I'm not even looking at the filings," he said, adding that so far he hasn't been reading the filings and parties have not been coming in to make ex parte presentations about the proposed merger to him. He said that he didn't think parties were making such presentations to other Commissioners either right now, suggesting that the focus is still on the antitrust review at the Justice Department.

Source: Lynn Stanton, Telecommunications Reports.

Brazilian telecoms operator Telemar says it plans to announce its preferred platform for offering IPTV services before the end of August, according to local tech news service TI Inside, quoting Telemar's director of content Alberto Blanco. The operator plans to test IPTV with up to a million users this year ahead of a full-blown launch in 2007. it has short-listed three manufacturers to provide it with equipment and although it has not named names, the leading contenders are though to be a joint initiative by French equipment supplier Alcatel and US software giant Microsoft.

Source: TeleGeography.

The French govt. set a 2011 cutoff for analog TV broadcasts there, with the switch to standard definition DTV beginning in 2009 on a regional basis. The timetable for SD DTV also takes into account future plans for HDTV and mobile TV broadcasting, authorities said Fri.

------

The likely successful completion of the U.K.'s 2012 DTV switch was secured by recent international pacts on limiting interference with broadcasts in neighboring nations. Signals from the U.K. can interfere with those in Belgium, France, Ireland and the Netherlands and vice versa, telecom regulator Ofcom said Fri. After months of talks under ITU auspices, the U.K. "achieved all of its objectives to secure a smooth transition to digital broadcasting free from international interference or constraints," Ofcom said. This means the U.K. can use all necessary transmitter sites to deliver public DTV channels such as the BBC's Freeview to 98.5% of the population -- the same proportion now getting analog TV. U.K. commercial DTV channels will reach up to 90% of TV households. The international agreement gives the U.K. latitude to allocate spectrum freed by the DTV switch on a technology- and service-neutral basis, subject to technical curbs to be set. The BBC. which wants some reclaimed analog spectrum devoted to terrestrial HDTV, has been running HDTV trials since May 11. Meanwhile, as nations switch to DTV, analog TV signals are to be protected from interference, most likely by limiting the power of newer DTV transmissions.

Source: Warren's Consumer Electronics Daily, Volume 6; Issue 127.

The Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday voted to make it easier for the nation's biggest phone companies to offer television service over their networks, handing a victory to AT&T Inc. (T) and Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ). By 15-7, the panel approved a measure that had been long sought by the two phone giants. The House has already passed related legislation. Even so, the odds of the bill becoming law are far from assured given intense debate over other measures in the bill.

Currently, the phone companies must negotiate with thousands of local franchise authorities before rolling out television service, just as cable companies do. The phone companies say the process can take more than a year, making it hard to compete with the cable companies that already dominate the market.

Under the legislation, phone companies would automatically win franchises if localities had failed to sign off on agreements within 90 days. They would still have to pay franchise fees of as much as 5% of gross revenues and other fees to local authorities.

Source:Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

The Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday voted to make it easier for the nation's biggest phone companies to offer television service over their networks, handing a victory to AT&T Inc. (T) and Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ). By 15-7, the panel approved a measure that had been long sought by the two phone giants. The House has already passed related legislation. Even so, the odds of the bill becoming law are far from assured given intense debate over other measures in the bill.

Source: Dow Jones News Service.

State-run Indian telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) says it will launch a pilot IPTV service in the city of Pune on the country’s Independence Day on 15 August. It says it will expand IPTV to other regions, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore, dependent on the commercial success of the service. BSNL’s sister company MTNL plans to launch its own commercial IPTV services in Delhi and Mumbai in the next few months. Source: TeleGeography.

Triple T Broadband, a wholly owned subsidiary of Thai telco TT&T, yesterday signed a USD35 million contract with three equipment suppliers – Alcatel, Huawei and Jasmine Telecom System – to install broadband network infrastructure. Prasitchai Kritsanayunyong, senior vice-president for corporate finance with TT&T and a director of Triple T Broadband, said that the first phase of a nationwide network rollout was scheduled for completion in September, with selected services to be launched immediately, whilst triple-play equipment would be installed to provide digital broadcasting services in early 2007. He added that talks were taking place with content providers, including CNN and some local firms, regarding broadband TV programming. TT&T currently has 130,000 broadband users, a total expected to reach 200,000 by the end of this year. The network expansion is projected to take its broadband customer total to 300,000 next year and full capacity of 430,000 in 2008. ‘We expect to realise THB100 million (USD2.6 million) in revenue from Triple T Broadband this year,’ said Mr Prasitchai, projecting that the figure will surge to THB1 billion in 2007. Source: TeleGeography.

At least 40 national and regional television channels and eight radio channels will provide digital broadcasting services in Bulgaria after 2015, the Communications Regulatory Commission (CRC) said on Monday after an agreement was signed in Geneva during the Regional Radiocommunication Conference of the International Telecommunication Union. The agreement follows two years of negotiations among institutions in Balkan countries. All proposals made by Bulgaria were included in the final digital broadcasting plan and approved by the Regional Conference. In Bulgaria, broadcasting will be digitalized gradually in accordance with a future strategy. The process will involve all interested state bodies. Source: Bulgarian News Agency

Delegates from 101 nations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East signed a treaty on Friday to replace traditional radio and TV broadcasts with a standard digital system by 2015, officials said. "This agreement is a big epoch-making decision," said Yoshio Utsumi, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations agency that organized the negotiations.

Listeners and viewers in the 119-nation region will have a greater choice of radio and television programs which will be available in top quality images and sound, and they will have better telecommunications and mobile technology, said Utsumi. He said it will be possible to have 70,500 digital broadcasting stations in the region, compared with about 5,000 under the European analog system that was adopted in 1961. The treaty is based on the adoption of the European digital standard, as opposed to competitors from the United States and Japan, but the whole world will benefit because other regions will see a big drop in cost of receivers and other equipment and will be able to use the complicated agreement as a model even though they use a different system, officials said.

It will be of special benefit to Africa because "the digital switchover will leapfrog existing technologies to connect the unconnected in underserved and remote communities and close the digital divide," ITU said. The addition of digital broadcasting has already begun in the United States, Japan and some other countries, but the new treaty is the first multiregional accord that that has set a deadline for dropping the old analog system. It involved complex negotiations between neighbors such as Israel and Arab states to avoid interference between frequencies so that analog and digital broadcasts could coexist during the transition period, officials said. Consumers and broadcasters will have to replace their traditional equipment to use the new system. Utsumi said the treaty allows for an additional five years for African nations to convert their VHF transmissions to digital, but that all other broadcasts in the region should be switched over by June 17, 2015.

Source: Alexander G. Higgins, Associated Press Newswires.

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill which paves the way for telcos such as AT&T, Verizon Communications and BellSouth to offer nationwide pay-TV services. Under previous legislation telecoms operators had to negotiate rollouts on a city-by-city basis, which they argued could take years. The new bill will allow telcos to apply for a national TV licence, enabling them to compete more effectively with cable TV operators which have already added telephony and high speed internet services to their own portfolios. The law will now pass to the Senate for approval and if successful there should be enacted by year-end. BellSouth’s VP of governmental affairs, Herschel Abbott, welcomed the news, commenting: “Completion of video franchise legislation will allow faster rollout of a video service that can provide another competitive alternative to cable, offering the kind of customer service and quality that customers demand.” Source: TeleGeography.

The House of Representatives approved the most extensive telecommunications legislation in a decade on Thursday, largely ratifying the policy agenda of the nation's largest telephone companies. The bill passed by a lopsided vote of 321 to 101. Supporters of the legislation said it would promote competition and lower costs by enabling the telephone companies to offer bundled packages of video, telephone, broadband, wireless and mobile phone services in new markets. They said the legislation was an important antidote to rapidly rising cable television subscription rates. But even as the House took up the measure on Thursday, the political action had already swung to the Senate, which has been peppered by lobbyists and executives from many major telecommunications companies in recent days as it prepares to draft its own version. The prospects there are uncertain. [...]

The slow pace of IPTV rollouts and proprietary nature of the systems are leading the International Telecommunication Union to step in and coordinate standards efforts, but the idea of such a move has been met with mixed reactions. The ITU last month began looking into whether there was interest in an overall standards effort and decided, after consulting with more than 100 experts in the supply chain, to form a focus group that will meet in July to consider the issue more seriously. Some Asian operators and vendors, such as China Telecom and Huawei Technologies, have complained about a lack of cohesive IPTV standards that encompass the technical gear, billing systems and middleware.

The ITU said that others have made similar observations, spurring it to coordinate a global standardization effort. "Operators need open standards and end-to-end flexible solutions," said Johnshen Zhang, an executive at Huawei. In China, Huawei's home country, government and industry officials are already busy drafting a set of standards for IPTV-one of a handful of efforts in the standards arena during recent years, many of which have had limited success. Details of the effort are just emerging. At a recent IPTV conference in Beijing, Jiang Lintao, chief engineer at the Chinese Academy of Telecom Research, said China had already developed six standards and would follow these with 12 more by year's end. In total, he said, 60 to 70 guidelines will be issued covering topics as broad as business requirements, system architecture, set-top boxes, interfaces, access network requirements and middleware.

For its part, the ITU has been careful to note that it isn't looking to start from scratch. Rather, it would like to build on the work of other standards groups, such as the Digital Video Broadcasting Project, CableLabs and MPEG. The scope of the new focus group, called FG IPTV, will include architecture and requirements, quality-of-service, security, network and control aspects, set-top boxes, interoperability, middleware and application platforms. However, some observers with more experience in IPTV-on both the vendor and operator sides-believe that standards, while useful, won't radically reduce the complexity of the systems integration. "Standards would be helpful in terms of ensuring device interoperability, but there is still a lot of fine-tuning that needs to happen to optimize multimedia over telecom networks," said Ted Hsiung, of Cascade Ltd., which Hong Kong telecom provider PCCW spun off to capitalize on its first-mover experience in IPTV. "Basically, these are private networks, so each guy will go their own way," said Christos Lagomichos, vice president and general manager of STMicroelectronics Home Entertainment Group. "In some way, the standards are already there by default, because they are using standard codecs."

Although vendors such as Alcatel and Microsoft are teaming up in loose partnerships to ease the rollout process, simplicity is a long way off. "There is not one vendor out there in the world that does everything from the headend over to the DRM [digital rights management] system to the middleware. The maturity of the products is not there," said Josef Lorenz, senior vice president for Siemens Multimedia. The ITU definitely can help to formalize a few of the standards, Lorenz said. "And the next level of standardization that you need is in APIs, so we can bring applications from several parties onto the system. There are standards like Multimedia Home Platform, Open Ser- vices Gateway initiative and UPnP that now exist and need to be implemented across the board to have better interoperability," he said.

Source: Electronic Engineering Times, CMP Media LLC.

The best things in life are free. So sang John Lennon in 1963. But this is business. And in business, the song title, rather than its opening line, is more appropriate: Money (That's what I want).

In this business of next-generation communications, content-based services are rendered with the expectation of a profitable return; otherwise, what's the point? But unless and until the myriad of players involved in rendering these services agree on how to mediate, rate, charge and compensate for them, someone is not going to get what they want.

Standards are invented to resolve thorny issues such as this. And the goal of one standards organization, IPDR.org, is to make everyone in the IPTV world render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, whether that be Caesar the service provider, Caesar the content provider or Caesar the aggregator.

The Internet Protocol Detail Record Organization is a collaborative industry consortium focused on IP service usage and exchange standards. At TeleStrategies' Billing & OSS World in Miami earlier this month, the organization unveiled its industrywide work plan on accounting and settlement standards for IPTV services.

The briefing included a major portion of the IPDR.org work plan outlining the accounting and settlement efforts to date and into the future. It also provided information about initial use cases and functionality.

It highlighted the work done so far on additional elements and protocol enhancements related to IPTV services and the development of key requirements related to content settlement and revenue sharing. Major members within the organization, such as Amdocs, BSG and others provided demonstrations of the IPTV specifications.

The time frame is to have a service spec that is proofed internally and that we can give to other industry organizations by September, said Kelly Anderson, president and chief operating officer of IPDR.org. We will work with other industry bodies the rest of the year and hope to have the spec fully released to members by the end of the year.

Those other bodies include ATIS, CableLabs, 3GPP, ITU-T and the TeleManagement Forum (TMF.) IPDR.org sponsored a TMF Catalyst project last week called Managing IP Services with NGOSS, which was demonstrated at TeleManagement World in Nice, France.

Led by Cisco Systems and joined by Broadhop, Cisco, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Digital Fairway, Fujitsu, Intec Telecom Systems, Pantero and Tech Mahindra, the project implemented applications from multiple vendors that were integrated through standards-based interfaces in order to roll out new service deployments, monitor the health of the network and its components, and support and monitor the service level compliance of the network while performing rating and billing functions leveraging IPDR.org specifications.

When you can interoperate with different industry leaders and the products they are offering today and work on compliance this way, it makes the work real, Anderson said. She added that as part of the Catalyst Project, the TMF has expressed interest in layering the IPDR.org work into its shared information data model.

By us working in our exclusive pieces [of architecture] and submitting them into other organizations, I think you will see widespread adoption of our standard, Anderson said.

Jim Warner, vice chair of industry communications for the TMF, said it is work such as this that helps consortiums stay out in front of the needs of its members. We believe that's where the industry is headed, our jobs are to be out in front before things dawn on everyone else, he said.

To date, there isn't much defined in the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) architecture around accounting and settlement, Anderson said, although you can see the big cloud where a standard solutions is supposed to be.

Anderson said a lack of standards would impede the implementation of IPTV services. Worse yet, it might not.

This is not a long-term project. It's more spec a little, build a little so we can get something useful out to the industry before the opportunity is gone and everybody is using proprietary interfaces, Anderson said.

Still, she hopes the standard will be adopted into the IMS architecture. We are working with ATIS on IMS harmonization right now, Anderson said. They do have an accounting architecture, but it remains to be seen whether or not it will be suitable for multimedia IPTV-based services.

Source: Telephony, Volume 246; Number 9; ISSN Number 00402656.  

T-Online Hungary has selected Alcatel and Microsoft to provide the infrastructure (Microsoft TV IP TV Edition software platform and Alcatel's services integration solutions) for its IP TV pilot. The first stage of the trial, a technical lab trial, was completed at end-January 2006. An extended field trial of 500 users - who will have access to multiple channels, video-on-demand (VOD) and a personal video recorder - is currently being held. A public market trial is planned for the middle of 2006.

Source: My Insight.

TRAI launches a consultation on the regulation of interconnection for broadcasting and cable television services. Among the major issues identified for the consultation stand out the following: methodology for fixing/revising subscriber base, definition of a Multi System Operator, development of a reference interconnection offer, monopoly in the last mile and regulation of carriage fee. Press Release. Consultation Document. Source: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

The ITU (International Telecommunications Union) is looking to drive the international standardisation for IPTV with the creation of a Focus Group to address what it sees as a market need for accelerated IPTV deployment. The establishment of the group follows an agreement reached at a public consultation meeting where around 120 experts from the world's leading ICT companies backed up the ITU's role in the coordination of global IPTV standards. The ITU said the decision was made because of the benefits of worldwide standards for all players in the IPTV value chain and the need to achieve rapid progress to avoid market fragmentation.

IPTV will help pave the way for players, many of whom are already moving to IP-based NGN infrastructure, to offer a triple-play of video, voice and data. The ITU is of the opinion that standards are necessary in order to give service providers, whether traditional broadcasters, ISPs or telecommunication service providers, control over their platforms and their offerings. It believes that standards here will encourage innovation, help mask the complexity of services, guarantee quality of service (QoS), ensure interoperability and ultimately help players remain competitive.

The mission of IPTV FG is to coordinate and promote the development of global IPTV standards taking into account the existing work of the ITU study groups as well as other standards development organizations (SDOs), forums and consortiums. In particular, the IPTV FG will: Define IPTV; identify scenarios, drivers and relationships with other services and networks; identify requirements and define framework architecture; review and gap analysis of existing standards and ongoing works; identify opportunities for ITU; identify activities that ITU would encourage other organisations to pursue; coordinate existing standardisation activities; harmonise the development of new standards and encourage interoperability with existing systems where possible.

Source: Broadcast Engineering News, Reed Business Information Limited.