1. Transition to Digital Television (DTV)
Advantages, Implications & Challengesg p g
Javid HamdardJavid Hamdard
ICT Consultant – Internews Network
11 November, 2012

2. Backgroundg
• Analogue terrestrial TV has been around for
more than half a century beginning in 1927 inmore than half a century beginning in 1927 in
the USA (1964 in Afghanistan).
• As per the ITU’s (RRC-06) agreement all member
countries (including Afghanistan) are required
to switchover to DTV by June 2015.to switchover to DTV by June 2015.
• Post June 2015, ITU or any originating
country/entity is not responsible for any cross-
border interference with any existing Analogue
spectrum/frequencies in use + Int. compatibilityp / q p y
etc.
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3. Introduction
• In simple words, Digital Television (DTV) is a more
improved and efficient medium to broadcastimproved and efficient medium to broadcast
multimedia content compared to Analogue
terrestrial TV.
• In Digital broadcasting (DTV) multi-media
content (Images, Sound, Text..) are transmitted
in a high quality compressed format allowing a
broad range of services/content to bebroad range of services/content to be
broadcasted and delivered in less space
(Spectrum). 4 – 8 Programs per single Analogue
Frequency/Channel.
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4. Standards and Platforms
• Standards: The three most common standards
are DVB C (cable TV) DVB T (old version) DVBare DVB-C (cable TV), DVB-T (old version), DVB-
T2 (latest version). Afghanistan will most
probably go for DVB-T2.
• Platforms: There are four common service
provision and access Platforms:
1. Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT).
2 Digital Cable2. Digital Cable.
3. Digital Satellite (D-Sat).
4. DSL-DTV.
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5. Worldwide Transition Status
Transition completed, all analog signals terminated.
Transition completed for full power stations, not yet completed for low power stations.p p , y p p
Transition in progress, broadcasting both analog and digital signals.
Transition not yet started, broadcasting analog signals only.
Does not intend to transition, broadcasting analog signals only.
No information available.
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6. Advantagesg
• Government: 1. Compliance with the ITU
mandate (frequency re-organization, futuristic,mandate (frequency re organization, futuristic,
Intl. coordination), 2. More Frequency (more
broadcasters/channels, more content, more
$$ ) 3 Wid C 4 B ttrevenue $$ ), 3. Wider Coverage, 4. Better
Regulation and Monitoring.
• Broadcasters: 1 Wider Coverage 2• Broadcasters: 1. Wider Coverage, 2.
Infrastructure Efficiency, 3. Multicasting, Better
QoS, Competition (All in All more $$).p ( )
• Users/Consumers: 1. Better QoS, 2. More
programs/channels/content = more choices, 3.
B tt /C i t A 4 I t ti it 5Better/Convenient Access, 4. Interactivity, 5.
Mobility. 6

7. Implicationsp
• Government: Strategy, Consultation, Education
Regulations/Legislation Spectrum Planning andRegulations/Legislation, Spectrum Planning and
Coordination (National & Intl.), Monitoring and
Coordination, Investment (Full/Part).
• Operators/Broadcasters: Infrastructure cost
(network-operators), Studio and Equipment( p ) q p
upgrade cost, Competition cost (quality of
content, production/local content).
• Users/Consumers: Awareness, Equipment
Upgrade cost (STB etc) , Additional Service
C tCost.
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8. Challengesg
• Huge Investment.
• Nationwide Awareness and Education.
• Legal and Regulatory Framework.g g y
• Multi-Stakeholder coordination & cooperation.
i i• Technical Preparations.
• Business Model/s.
• Transition Methodology.
Transition Frustration• Transition Frustration.
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9. Best-Practices
• Consultation, Awareness and Education.
• Strong Leadership.
• Close Coordination and Cooperation.
• Identifying Appropriate Business Model.
• Gradual Phase by Phase Roll-outGradual Phase by Phase Roll out.
• Consumer Oriented/Friendly Approach/Policies.
C id i i / i li d l• Considering Low-income/Marginalized People.
• With the aim to improve and facilitate not gain,
t i t d t lrestrict and control.
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10. Thank YouThank You
Questions / Comments