Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 1 The Initiative „Digital Broadcasting“ of the German Government, the Laender and the Marketplayers Wolfgang Becker, General Frequency Matters

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 2 l Why go digital now? l Cabinet resolutions of 17 December 1997 and 24 August 1998 l Results / Next steps l Digitalisation of Broadcasting - a European Task -

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 3 Why go digital now? - I l International trend, which Europe cannot avoid Early action means: l more competitive companies l safer jobs l greater growth and prosperity l stronger European position

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 4 Why go digital now? - II l Precondition for technical convergence electronic media/telecommunications/information technology l New services and applications l Stimulation of market for electronic media l More efficient use of scarce frequency resources l Lower transmission costs l Less of a battle for channels l Less regulation

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 5 Federal Cabinet l Resolution of 17 December 1997 »Start of "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative »Mandate for action by Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology : Proposed strategy with relevant organisations/bodies l Resolution of 24 August 1998 »Approval of interim results »Mandate for action by Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology : Continuation of the initiative and implementation of results

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 6 Members l Administrations (state/federal) l Content providers l Network operators l Industry l Trade and the crafts l Consumers l Science

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 7 Results l Consensus between parties on objectives »Digitalisation as quickly as possible »Separate scenarios for satellite, cable and terrestrial transmission l Establishment of timeframe »End of analogue television: 2010 »End of analogue radio: ? »Review: 2003 »Orientation to international market developments l Frequency use once digitalisation complete »for broadcasting and for innovative non-broadcasting services

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 8 How to continue? Decision taken by the parties concerned on 4 February 1999 in Bonn: l In future: Initiative of the federal government and the federal states (Laender) with participation of the marketplayers l More effective working structure » Steering Committee » Working Groups l Consensus principle basis for decisions also in future l First results by mid 2000 (Startszenario) l International Conference during EXPO 2000 end of September

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 9 Working structure Political staff (not linked with the initiative)

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 10 l Launching with multi-frequency networks l Extensive common frequency networks after revision of Stockholm 1961 Agreement l Island-based transition; launching in high density areas l 12 programms per coverage area (broadcasting and new services); 3 long range transmitters per island l Simulcast transmission l Portable indoor at least in core areas, mobile use limited Structure of launching scenario

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 11 Transitional Phase Viewers (%) Coverage Provision of density areas Switch-on digital Switch-off analogue ReviewReview

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 12 Elements of the Startszenario l Service concept l Terminal concept l Marketing concept l Financing concept l Legal concept

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 13 Digitalisation of Broadcasting - A European Task - l Standards DAB and DVB l Reference Markets are needed l A joint European approach is needed l Update of the Chester agreement l Revision of the Stockholm Agreement

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 14 Revision of the Stockholm 1961 Agreement Raised Questions l Do CEPT countries want digitalisation of terrestrial TV- broadcasting? l When should implementation be completed? l Does the Chester 1997 Agreement meet all requirements for the implementation of terrestrial digital TV? l What course of actions is required to achieve this goal?

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, VII B 3 "Digital Broadcasting" Initiative 15 Revision of the Stockholm 1961 Agreement Agreed procedure l Early planning conference before 2005 l Under the auspices of ITU (not to be brought before WRC- 2000) l ITU Convention No 310 l Forwarded in the middle of 2000 at the latest l CEPT will communicate to WRC-2000 the need for this conference l ERC will decide on further steps l FM WG PT 24 will continue their work