UK-based applications and services company ROK Global has announced that, following the launch of its ‘Mobile TV’ subscription services with America Movil’s assorted subsidiaries in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay and El Salvador, the service has now gone live with Claro Guatemala and Claro Nicaragua. Mobile TV offers ten different TV channels, spanning news, sports, music and entertainment. Monthly subscriptions are priced at between USD6 and USD10, although daily and weekly payment options are also available to subscribers.

See Press Release 
Source: Telegeography

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

Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, has issued an urgent call to twenty one EU countries to rapidly introduce all the legislative measures necessary to allow the pan-EU deployment of mobile satellite services that could be used for high-speed internet, mobile television and radio or emergency communications to EU consumers and businesses. According to the timetable agreed by a Decision of the European Parliament and the EU's Council of Ministers in 2008, Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) should be deployed in all EU Member States by May 2011 at the latest (MEMO/09/237). But, more than twenty months after the Commission selected two operators to provide such pan-European services, 21 Member States have not yet adopted all the national rules needed to facilitate MSS deployment. Vice-President Kroes recently appealed also to the two operators concerned to step up their efforts.

See Press Release
Source: Europe's Information Society

South Africa will complete the process of migrating from analogue to digital television by December 2013, Communications Minister Radhakrishna Padayachie announced on Friday. The analogue switch off date was originally set for November 2011 but has since been changed to December 2013 by Cabinet.

The minister also revealed South Africa would adopt the DVB-T2 standard for the process of digital migration. He said South Africa's December 2013 deadline for switching off the analogue signal was in keeping with a global decision to switch off the signal by 2015.

See Press Release
Source: AllAfrica

The Federal Communications Commission today took important steps to meet the nation’s demand for innovative wireless broadband services and preserve the benefits that free over-the- air TV provides for consumers. In adopting proposals to make more efficient use of the nation’s airwaves, the FCC set the stage for voluntary broadcast spectrum auctions that could provide consumers with the robust mobile broadband services they demand while preserving over-the-air TV that many rely upon. The resulting efficient use of airwaves will help ensure that America leads the global wireless revolution and enjoys the resulting jobs and economic growth. Specifically, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted by the FCC today proposes that wireless broadband providers have equal access to television broadcast frequencies that could become available in spectrum auctions. The Notice seeks comment on establishing new allocations for both fixed and mobile wireless services in the TV broadcast bands.

See Press Release
Source: FCC - Federal Communications Commission

Operator expects size of fixed broadband market to triple in the next three years. Brazilian telecommunications company Tele Norte Leste Participacoes S/A, seeing limited growth in the mobile business, is betting heavily on its wireline network to deliver faster-growing fixed-broadband and pay-television service. Tele Norte Leste, also known as Oi, will introduce an Internet-based TV service within the next six months, according to Chief Financial Officer Alex Zornig. He also expects the fixed-broadband business to triple over the next three years. "The name of the game in Brazil is broadband and cable TV," Zornig said in an interview Tuesday.

See Press Release
Source: Total Telecom

Ofcom announced how a new form of wireless communication called “white space technology” will work in practice. This follows an earlier consultation, exploring the potential of the technology, which could be used for a wide range of innovative applications. For example, technology manufacturers have suggested that it might wirelessly link up different devices and offer enhanced broadband access in rural areas. The technology works by searching for unused radio waves called “white spaces” between TV channels to transmit and receive wireless signals. Compared with other forms of wireless technology, such as Bluetooth and WiFi, white-space devices are being designed to use lower frequencies that have traditionally been reserved for TV.

See Press Release
Source: UK Ofcom

The European Commission has today decided to request France and Spain to abolish specific charges on the turnover of telecoms operators introduced when the Member States concerned decided to end paid advertising on public TV channels. In both cases, the Commission considers these "telecoms taxes" to be incompatible with EU telecoms rules, which require specific charges on telecoms operators to be specifically and directly related to covering the costs of regulating the telecoms sector. The requests take the form of "reasoned opinions" under EU infringement procedures. France and Spain now have two months to inform the Commission of measures taken to comply with EU telecoms rules. If they fail to do so, the Commission may refer them to the EU Court of Justice.

See Press Release
Source: Europa

La República Dominicana aprobó hoy el modelo norteamericano ATSC (Advanced Television Sytem Committee) como estándar de Televisión Digital Terrestre para su aplicación a partir de la fecha en el territorio nacional.

La medida fue adoptada mediante el Decreto No. 407-10 emitido por el Presidente Leonel Fernández, informó el presidente del Instituto Dominicano de las Telecomunicaciones (Indotel),doctor José Rafael Vargas, durante una rueda de prensa en el Palacio Nacional. “En el mes de septiembre del 2015 se produce el apagón analógico de la televisión dominicana y a partir de este momento con el formato que vamos a anunciar, comenzamos el desarrollo de la fase más trascendente, más importante que ha tenido la televisión de la República Dominicana desde su origen en la década de los años 50”, expresó el funcionario.

Vargas señaló que algunos concesionarios ya han adquirido sus transmisores y equipos digitales, mientras que el Indotel está propiciando que vía la Dirección General de Aduanas “se den todas las facilidades a todos los concesionarios de radio y televisión para que puedan traer sus equipos”.

See Press Release

Source: Instituto Dominicano de las Telecomunicaciones INDOTEL

The UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has agreed to issue a ten-year mobile TV licence to the Emirates Mobile Television Corporation consortium, Emirates news agency WAM reports. The concession reportedly includes the exclusive rights to broadcast mobile TV services for five years, ending 31 December 2014, and is thought to be priced at around AED17 million (USD4.63 million). The successful consortium is made up of local telcos Etisalat and Du, as well as Abu Dhabi Media Company, Dubai Media Incorporated, MBC, and Emirates Communications and Technologies Company, a subsidiary of TECOM Investment. The mobile TV service will be based on the DVB-H standard and is slated for launch in the fourth quarter of 2010.

See Press Release
Source: TeleGeography

Perú y Japón suscribieron un convenio de cooperación en el proceso de implementación de la televisión digital en el país,durante una reunión en Tokio del ministro de Transportes y Comunicaciones, Enrique Cornejo con su homólogo nipón, Tsutomu Sato.

El ministro de Transportes y Comunicaciones visita esta semana ese país en consideración de la importancia de la introducción del Estándar Japonés – Brasilero de Televisión Digital Terrestre (TDT) en el Perú.

“Hace unas horas acabamos de firmar un convenio de  cooperación con el ministro de Comunicación japonés, Tsutomu Sato”, afirmó el ministro Cornejo.

See Press Release
Source: Cellular News

The European Commission has cleared, by a letter published today, the proposal of the French telecoms regulator ARCEP to maintain regulatory obligations on the incumbent TV transmission services operator TDF. The regulation will apply to those TDF masts and sites that are impossible or very difficult to replicate. Alternative transmission service providers need to have access to these sites under adequate conditions to provide competing transmission services to digital television broadcasters and multiplex operators. At the same time, however, the Commission invites ARCEP to monitor the extent to which TDF's sites can be replicated and the competitive developments on the market so as to ensure that the regulatory obligations to be imposed on TDF remain justified and proportionate.

See Press release
Source: Europa

One year after the entry into force of a new EU Directive meant to liberalise TV rules and remove outdated and bureaucratic restrictions on the provision of digital TV over the internet, video on demand and mobile TV in Europe, EU Member States have made little progress in adapting national rules. Only Romania has comprehensively implemented the new EU audiovisual media rules that entered into force on 19 December 2007 (IP/07/1809). The EU's Audiovisual Media Services Directive, adopted by the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers on a proposal from the Commission (IP/05/1573) rebooted the old EU rules on traditional TV broadcasting for the digital age and its new generation of TV-like services. The other 26 Member States are currently putting the modernised rules for Europe's audiovisual industry into national law. They have until December 2009. By then the EU should have a single market for all audiovisual media services, providing legal certainty for businesses and more diverse and quality programming for viewers.

See Press Release
Source: Europe's Information Society

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has published an Invitation To Apply (ITA) calling for interested individual Electronic Communications Services, Broadcasting Services and Electronic Communications Network Services licensees to apply for frequencies to provide mobile digital video broadcasting services.

See Press Release
Source: Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)

The third quarter of 2008 saw continued growth in television services provided by satellite, over the public telephone network and by FWA, while a decline was seen in the cable TV service. The total market continued to grow (3.5%) to reach a total of 2.2 million subscribers, given that the decline in the cable television service was more than offset by growth in the service provided through other technologies, which have increased their relative presence in the market.
In terms of the geographical distribution of subscribers, there was no significant alteration, with the North and Lisbon Regions retaining the largest shares of customers. Penetration remains above average in the Autonomous Regions and in Lisbon.

See Press Release
Source: ANACOM - National Authority of Telecommunications

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 5.5.11 to permit promotions for digital television that include references to ‘Freeview’ to be exempt from the time limits placed on non-program matter.

Freeview is a brand of Freeview Australia Pty Limited, which promotes the free-to-air digital television platform in Australia. The members of Freeview Australia Pty Limited are the commercial television broadcasters and the national television broadcasters (the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Special Broadcasting Service Corporation).

See Press Release
Source: ACMA

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 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

The Government noted with concerns the occurrence of some door-to-door illicit sale activities selling digital terrestrial television (DTT) set-top boxes by some salesmen claiming to be staff of the Housing Department. The salesmen were allegedly spreading the rumour that the existing four free analogue TV channels (i.e. the Home and International channels of ATV and the Jade and Pearl channels of TVB) would soon be terminated and that new set-top boxes would need to be installed for free television reception.

See Press Release
Source: Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA)

Para la semana del 3 al 10 de junio de 2008, se tiene previsto realizar pruebas destinadas a la selección del estándar de Televisión Digital que operará en Venezuela, así lo informó Wilfredo Morales, director General de Tecnología de la Información del MPPTI, quien además señaló que se efectuarán en Caracas y contarán con los estándares evaluados el año pasado, Europeo y Japonés, pero además en esta evaluación se incluirá el estándar Chino, con la finalidad de que exista transparencia en la decisión.

See Press Release
Source: Ministerio del Poder Popular para las Telecomunicaciones y la Informática

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

United States’s full-power television stations will transition from analog broadcast television service to digital broadcast television service on February 17, 2009. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)(the “Commission”) today released the DTV Consumer Education Order requiring television broadcasters, Multi-Channel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs), telecommunications carriers, retailers, and manufacturers to promote awareness of the nation’s transition to digital television. The educational efforts of these diverse groups are intended to provide consumers with clear and correct information about the DTV transition.

See Press Release
Source: FCC - Federal Communications Commission

The Ministry of Communications compiled today the final list of tv sets complying to the Ministerial Order 3th August 2007, i.e. tv sets with integrated digital synthesizing. People buying this, will benefit from an incentive with a view to fostering the substitution of old, analogic tv sets with new digital tv sets.

See Press Release
Source: Ministero delle Comunicazioni

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 Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing for February 14, 2008, at 10 a.m., on U.S. readiness for the nationwide transition from analog television broadcasting to digital television (DTV) broadcasting.

With the February 17, 2009 transition date now just one year away, the hearing, One Year to the DTV Transition: Consumers, Broadcasters, and Converter Boxes, will focus on consumer awareness, the role of broadcasters and the Federal Communications Commission, and the status of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration converter box program.

See Press Release
Source: United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority launched an on-line database service today making available a channel for the public to access readily via the internet the coverage information of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) services on a building-by-building basis.

See Press Release
Source: OFTA

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) launched an on-line database service, making available a channel for the public to access readily via the internet the coverage information of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) services on a building-by-building basis.

"This is an initiative by OFTA for the convenience of the public to enquire about DTT services coverage information for residential buildings," a spokesperson for OFTA said.

See Press Release
Source: OFTA - Office for the Telecommunications Authority

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

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) today (7 January 2008) 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: OFTA

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

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) announced that digital terrestrial television (DTT) services, have been operating smoothly since launch on 31 December 2007. Members of the public are welcome to call the hotline of OFTA (29616333) during office hours (8:30 – 17:45) if they have any questions about DTT. OFTA will provide technical advice and assistance as necessary.

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

Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, today confirmed that the first firm steps had been taken on the road to completing switchover by the end of 2013.

Senator Conroy said that the switchover to digital television was important to all Australians because it offers benefits to viewers such as improved picture and sound quality and greater program choice. It will also make spectrum available for alternate uses such as new mobile services, a fourth television licence and wireless broadband services. “We are moving quickly to maximise the benefits for all Australians and keep pace with the rest of the world,” Senator Conroy said. “Setting a firm date of 2013 for the switchover from analogue to digital television transmission in Australia has given industry the certainty it needs to drive consumer uptake of digital television.

See Press Release

Source: Minister of Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy

Switzerland's incumbent telco, Swisscom has won approval to rollout a nationwide DVB-H (digital video broadcasting handheld) mobile TV service. The company disclosed that it won a license from the Swiss Federal Communications Commission (ComCom)  following a criteria-based competition. The license award follows a pilot project run by Swisscom, Orange and TDC Sunrise. Other partners withdrew from the joint project  paving the way for Swisscom to emerge as the sole licensee.

See Press Release
Source: Swisscom

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

El Gobierno Chileno impulsara un marco regulatorio que favorezca y promueva la produccion audiovisual, "para lo que se requiere aumentar los recursos publicos destinados a la creacion de contenidos y profundizar la cooperacion tecnica dirigida a las pymes de la television local"

El Subsecretario de Telecomunicaciones ratifico la necesidad de tener un canal publico que se motor del desarrollo de la oferta local para tener una transicion exitosa.

See Press release

Source: Subsecretaria de Telecomunicaciones (SUBTEL)

The President’s chamber of the Federal Network Agency has issued a decision on the allocation of frequencies for providing nationwide mobile broadcast services based on the DVB-H standard. The frequencies required for technical broadcasting operations will be given to T-Systems Media&Broadcast GmbH (TSMB). "The allocation of DVB-H frequencies is another important step towards mobile television in Germany", the Agency’s President, Matthias Kurth, said in Bonn. The tenders were evaluated – and the decision taken – on the basis of evaluation criteria that had been pre-determined by the Agency. TSMB was able to prove that it is best suited to fulfil the statutory and technical requirements of the tender terms. By 2015, the network should cover 90 per cent of the German population. This presupposes that the DVB-H service will reach the usual market penetration rate by 2013.

The President’s chamber will publish detailed explanatory notes on its decision in the Agency’s Official Gazette on 17 October 2007.

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

Tuesday, October 4, 2007, the Decision on the general terms regarding the inter-operability of interactive digital TV services, as well as of the consumers’ digital TV equipment has been approved in Government session. This decision provides for the TV receivers on the market – for sale or rental – to be endowed with an external interface connector, standardized at a European level, which should enable certain functions, so that to ensure the receiving of digital signals.

 

Thus, an analogue TV receiver should have at least one external interface connector that allows for the simple connection of peripherals, especially of digital receivers. Moreover, digital TV receivers should be able to relay all the components of a digital TV signal, including information on interactive services and on restricted access services. The inter-operability of these services will enable the decoding of TV signals transmitted according to the European encoding algorithm. Full press release

 

Source: ANRCTI, Romania

 

The total number of multichannel households in the UK has reached 21.4 million homes, 85% of the UK total, according to research published today by Ofcom. This is up 13 percentage points over the year – the strongest twelve months’ growth to date.

Ofcom’s Digital Television Progress Report for the second quarter of 2007 (April-June) also shows that digital terrestrial television accounted for 81% (763,000) of the growth in the digital television market during the quarter. Full press release

Source: OFCOM, United Kingdom

Washington, DC -- The Commission has released an updated agenda for its Digital Television Consumer Education Workshop to be held Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at FCC Headquarters, 445 12^th St., NW, Washington, DC, in the Commission Meeting Room.  It will begin at 8:00 AM and end at 4:15 PM.   The updated agenda is attached.

 

Source: FCC, USA

New Delhi, 18^{th September, 2007 -} The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today released a consultation paper on issues relating to mobile television. Mobile television services refer to provision of television services to subscribers for viewing on handheld or portable devices such as mobile phones. The television content can be provided through the mobile telecommunications networks or by using the broadcasting technologies.

In India, Doordarshan has already launched its mobile TV service in Delhi on trial basis. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, has sought recommendations of the TRAI on various issues relating to mobile television services, such as international practice, eligibility criteria, net-worth requirement, foreign direct and indirect investment levels, technology to be adopted, revenue sharing, entry fees, bank guarantee, and spectrum to be used. Full press release

 

Source: TRAI, India

La SUBTEL cierra la próxima semana el listado de hogares que servirán como puntos fijos de medición de las señales digitales. Cualquier ciudadano puede participar en este proceso inscribiendo su residencia en el sitio web de la Subsecretaría. Si su ubicación geográfica es compatible con el radio de transmisión de las pruebas, puede ser seleccionada entre las 160 casas que formarán parte del trabajo de campo.

Un paso más hacia la definición de la norma de TV digital en Chile, se concretó esta mañana con la constitución de la Comisión encargada de velar por el fiel cumplimiento de lo establecido en el protocolo de pruebas, que se aplicará al medir la recepción de transmisiones experimentales en Santiago. Full Press release

Source: SUBTEL, Chile

Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) today adopted rules to ensure all cable subscribers, including those with analog TV sets, can view broadcast television after the transition to digital television occurs on February 17, 2009. Approximately 35 percent of all television homes, or approximately 40 million households, are analog-only cable subscribers. The Commission is committed to ensuring that the 98 million TV viewers watching roughly 120 million sets retain the same access to their local stations after the transition as they do today.

See FCC release

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

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

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

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

Washington, DC – The Federal Communications Commission today announced it will hold a day-long Digital Television Consumer Education Workshop at its Washington, DC headquarters on Wednesday, September 26, 2007.

 

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. 

Source: FCC, United States

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

More than 80% of UK homes now have digital television on the main set according to research published today by Ofcom. Ofcom’s Digital Television Progress Report for the first quarter of 2007 (January-March) shows that household take-up of digital television now stands at 80.5% (20.4m homes), up from 77.2% the previous quarter. The report also shows that Freeview is now on the main set in 8.4 million homes (up from 7.7m in the previous quarter), and has now overtaken the number of Sky UK subscribers (8.0m in the first quarter of 2007). During the quarter a further 869,000 UK homes acquired digital television for the first time, following over a million additions the previous quarter. Key trends for the first quarter of 2007 include: DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION – Freeview services In total, 1.96 million Freeview devices (set-top-boxes plus integrated digital televisions) were sold during the quarter, up from 1.2 million in the first quarter of 2006 (61% rise year-on-year). This was the highest first quarter for Freeview sales ever. Digital terrestrial television accounted for 81% (670,000) of the growth in the digital television market during the quarter. Some 11.7 million homes (46%) are now viewing television on at least one Freeview device, 1.1 million more than at the end of the previous quarter. DIGITAL SATELLITE TELEVISION – Sky subscribers and free-to-view satellite services Sky grew its customer base by 32,020 during the quarter, taking its total number of UK subscribers to just over 8 million. Free-to-view satellite added 70,000 homes during the quarter, taking the total number of homes on this platform to 885,000. Some 2.17 million Sky customers (27% of all customers) now subscribe to Sky’s personal video recorder service, up from 1.96 million in Q4 2006. CABLE TELEVISION – Virgin Media services plus others With 3.4 million subscribers at the end of the quarter, cable rose to its highest level of take-up in almost five years (13.4% of UK homes). Cable gained an additional 36,100 new homes during the quarter, outperforming growth in subscription satellite (32,020 new homes) for the first time since the third quarter of 2001. Virgin Media added 71,000 subscribers to its personal video recorder service during the quarter, up 90% from 79,000 in Q4 2006 to 150,000. TELEVISION OVER BROADBAND (Tiscali TV) An additional 19,000 homes took a broadband television service during the quarter, an increase of 44.2% on the previous quarter. The total number of homes now receiving television over broadband stands at 62,000. Chief Executive Ed Richards said: "More than four in five UK households are now enjoying the benefits of digital television. It’s great news that we are continuing to see the market grow strongly as we approach the start of digital switchover." The full report is available at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/tv/reports/dtv/dtu_2007_q1/ Source: OFCOM

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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