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Digital Broadcasting

This project is an integral part of the European regional initiatives adopted by the ITU Resolution 17 (WTDC-10, Hyderabad), with “Digital Broadcasting”, being one of them.

It aims at assisting Member States in Central and Eastern Europe in making a smooth transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, taking into account the GE06 Agreement on digital terrestrial broadcasting as well as the work undertaken by relevant European regional organizations and entities, to avoid duplication of effort.

The expected results include:

Overview of policy and regulatory frameworks for digital terrestrial broadcasting, including mobile television
Appropriate mechanisms for conversion from analogue to digital archives
Provision of assistance in the deployment of interactive multimedia services and applications
Sharing the experiences gained through the implementation of this initiative with
broadcasters and service providers within and outside the region.

Presentation of the Approach for the Regional Initiative

ACTIVITIES

The series of seminars constituted an integral part of the European Regional Initiative on Digital Broadcasting for Europe and assisted Member States in handling the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. They provided a platform for exchange of best practices with regards to the migration as well as the ways to maximize the economic and social benefits of the digital dividend. The seminars developed a harmonized approach to enhancing the advantages to the digital dividend for Central-Eastern Europe.

Following recommendations from the seminars, ITU EUR facilitated a survey on the status of the digitalization process in Central and Eastern Europe.

In addition, ITU EUR facilitated a twinning programme between Albania and Poland that led towards a study visit of a group of Albanian experts to Poland to exchange knowledge and experience in the field of digital broadcasting. The programme evolved into a sound framework for bilateral cooperation on related issues.

Contact ITU Focal Points:

J.PONDER, Europe Coordinator, EurRegion@itu.itu
I.BOZSOKI, Senior Engineer, Istvan.Bozsoki@itu.int

MEETINGS

In 2011, ITU EUR facilitated the organization of the ITU Sub-Regional Seminar and Administration Round Table on Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting and Digital Dividend in Central and Eastern Europe, hosted by the Hungarian National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) which was held in Győr, Hungary. The meeting provided an opportunity for a high-level dialogue on the switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting and addressed the most important technical, regulatory and economic aspects. Based on the outcomes of the meeting and of the dedicated regional survey, a plan of action for the implementation of this regional initiative was established.

In 2012, ITU EUR, in collaboration with the Ministry of Administration and Digitization and the Office of Electronic Communication of Poland, organized the ITU Regional Seminar for Europe and CIS Countries on Transition to Digital Broadcasting, Borderline Frequency Coordination and Digital Dividend, that was held from 7 to 9 May 2012 in Warsaw, Poland. The meeting was followed by the annual Regulatory Seminar for Europe on Transition to Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting and Digital Dividend that was hosted by NMHH of Hungary from 5 to 7 November 2012 in Budapest.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in collaboration with the National Media and Infocommunications Authority of Hungary (NMHH), organized the Regional Seminar for Europe on “Transition to Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting and Digital Dividend” on 29 to 31 January 2014 in Budapest, Hungary. This Seminar was the final event of the European Regional Initiative on Digital Broadcasting for Europe and it helped consider how to develop further a unified approach in order to enhance the advantages that it will bring to the region of Central-Eastern Europe.