1. Digital Switchover in Slovenia and a way forward
ITU Regional Initiative for Europe on Digital Broadcasting:
Transition to Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting and Digital Dividend
Digital Switchover in Slovenia and a way forward
Tomo Žbontar, Igor Funa, Darja Petric-Štrbenk, Meta Pavšek Taškov
Budapest, Hungary
5-7 November 2012

2. Preparation for Transition Digital Broadcasting Act Simulcast
Background
Preparation for Transition
Digital Broadcasting Act
Simulcast
Analogue Switch off
Current situation - Lessons Learned
Digital Agenda
Digital dividend – big bang auction
A lot of issues to be solved before auction
Auction preparations
Possible convergence of services

3. Situation in Analog TV Broadcasting
5 national channels: 2 public, 3 commercial
10 regional / local channels
230 transmitting sites needed for 98% population coverage
Most channels (frequencies) from the ST61 plan already used

4. DVB-T - Allotments and SFN Networks

5. Preparation for Transition
Need for new frequency plan for digital broadcasting
Regional Radio Conference Geneva 2006
General approach:
Equitable access
7 layers on UHF
1 layer on VHF
Adoption of MPEG-4 (H-264) coding standard in 2006
First regular digital broadcasts at the end of 2006

6. Simulcast
70 % coverage of mux A in 2007
Only public channels present in mux A
Adoption of Digital Broadcasting Act in 2007
Adoption of Receiver specifications
MPEG-4 Set Top Boxes available and affordable

7. Digital Broadcasting Act
Relations between network operators and broadcasters
Frequencies for one network (multiplex) for PBS without tender
Spare multiplex capacity can be used for commercial purposes
RTV Slovenija (PBS) can not participate in public tender for the second network
Analog Switch-off date set to December 1st 2010

8. First Problems
Commercial channels not interested in digital broadcasting because of high additional cost for the same coverage
MPEG-2 Set Top Boxes still on shelves
No MPEG-4 Integrated TV sets yet
Problems with first MPEG-4 Set To Boxes
Some MPEG-4 receivers DID NOT support MPEG-4 audio (AAC)

9. Second Network
Public tender for national network in 2008
Norkring was chosen as the operator of the second network
Commercial channels not interested because of high cost
In 2009 mux B network still not operational
End of 2009: state subsidy for digital broadcasting
Commercial TV channels enter mux A
Public tenders for regional/local networks

10. Digital switchover campaign Call center
Analog Switchoff
September 2010:
First network (mux A)
5 national and 5 regional channels, over 90% coverage
Second network (mux B)
2 national channels, over 85% coverage
Digital switchover campaign
Call center
December 1st 2010 – most of the analog transmitters were switched off
ASO - No major problem

11. Current Situation
Some local broadcasters decided to abandon terrestrial platform because of high cost
Local multiplexes with only one channel
Main commercial channels still on mux A – the only operational multiplex with national coverage
One national channel (TV3) left Slovenia
Second network not operational – operator leaving Slovenia
Less TV channels than before the transition

12. Lessons Learned
Digital Broadcasting Act is not enough
Simulcast presents significant additional cost for broadcasters
Receiver specifications need to be very precise
Stick to announced requirements
Networks should start with final technical parameters
Avoid frequent changes of frequencies

13. Lessons Learned
Coverage, channels and receivers are not enough
User experience plays an important role
Digital equipment is more complex to set up and use
Digital reception means sharp transition from perfect picture to no picture
Information campaign should reach everybody
Even cheap STBs are expensive for many people

14. Digital Agenda
Pillar IV: Fast and ultra-fast Internet access
New services such as high definition television or videoconferencing need much faster internet access than generally available in Europe. To match world leaders like South Korea and Japan, Europe needs download rates of 30 Mbps for all of its citizens and at least 50% of European households subscribing to internet connections above 100 Mbps by The Digital Agenda aims to turn this ambition into reality by stimulating investments and proposing a comprehensive radio spectrum plan.
Reference:

15. Digital dividend
Digital dividend

16. Big-bang Auction

17. A lot of issues to be solved before auction
The amount of spectrum to be auctioned
Different license expirations
Technological neutrality & competition issues
Coverage obligations
Evaluation of network costs for different coverage scenarios
Auction model
Spectrum caps
Protection of broadcasting and other services
Cross border coordination
Sharing issues
Backhaul requirements ..

18. 2 – 3 years in average in Europe APEK‘s plan: 1.5 years
Auction preparations
2 – 3 years in average in Europe
APEK‘s plan: 1.5 years
start January 2012, licences awarded June 2014
Deadline is

19. Possible convergence of services
As mobile operators are becoming pipes for OTT (Over the Top Services)
As terrestrial broadcasting service providers face challenges of high network costs
As content providers face high costs of providing content over terrestrial DTT networks
As both services need more spectrum
Future might be in cooperation between mobile/broadcasting operators and broadcasting content providers

20. The End
Thank You Very Much for Your Attention!