Gary Tonge Introduction to Technology in the ITC 15 November 2002
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television Commission Slide 2 Overview of ITC’s Structure Chief Executive Secretariat Technology Programmes and Advertising Public Affairs, Nations and Regions Policy Strategy, Economics and finance HR and services
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television Commission Slide 3 Main objectives of ITC Technology Achieve effective use of UHF TV spectrum Facilitate progress to digital switchover Set standards of technical quality and reliability Take part in technical standardisation to protect UK interests Manage an outsourced R&D programme to support the ITC’s strategic objectives Answer technical queries from the public, MPs etc related to existing and future television services
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television Commission Slide 4 The group structure 17 people Director of Technology Technical Standards and Information New Media Digital Planning Senior Technology Adviser Spectrum management issues Research experience
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television Commission Slide 5 Digital planning - approach Use subcontractors for all planning and research work Total spend in 2001 of £610,000 Work closely with BBC & licensees to agree planning strategy Work closely with DTI/DCMS on switchover planning Work closely with RA on co-ordination
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television Commission Slide 6 Some achievements Squeeze in analogue C5 –Allow changes to existing transmission frequencies Initial plan for digital terrestrial TV (DTT) with six “multiplexes” –Interleave in spectrum gaps at low power –Allow interference to analogue where alternative available Subsequent re-engineering plans to improve “core coverage” –Beam tilting etc
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television Commission Slide 7 Spectrum research Investigate ways of improving planning tools & efficient use of spectrum –Digital satellite coverage model –Improved terrestrial planning model –Wireless home networking –Overlap with new media on new technologies e.g. impact of 3G on broadcasting
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television Commission Slide 8 Technical standards Director of Technology PA Technical Standards and Information New Media Digital Planning Senior Technology Adviser
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television Commission Slide 9 Technical standards - some current issues DTT transmission mode (64QAM vs 16QAM) Standards for interactive content authoring Open standards for set-top box (PVR) recording Technical quality of DTT with large screen
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television Commission Slide 10 New media Director of Technology PA Technical Standards and Information New Media Digital Planning Senior Technology Adviser
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television Commission Slide 11 New media - some projects Go Digital (300 homes in Midlands) Easy TV (with CA and Design Council) Automated sign language (EC Project) Talking EPG (with Sky) Rating and filtering (media literacy) Convergence (internet/mobile/broadcast) One current hot issue is Digital Rights Management - potential new gateway
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television Commission Slide 12 New media approach Lead / participate in internal cross-functional project teams –Broadband developments, media literacy and content filtering systems, copyright Arrange new media technology demonstrations and briefings Co-ordinate and manage outsourced research projects –DTI and EU funding –Total spend in 2002 £700k
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television Commission Slide 13 Approach to research “Out-sourced” rather than “funded” Factored into ITC-wide strategy Co-ordination agreement signed with RA Joint work in preparation for OFCOM, e.g. –flexible use of spectrum cleared by switchover –home networks