0 HDTV and Mobile TV: post Digital Switchover

In May 2006, we produced a discussion paper examining the future market demand and technical opportunities for digital terrestrial broadcasting. We proposed the adoption of new technologies – the MPEG4 video coding standard and a new broadcasting standard, now called DVB-T2 – that would enable the existing UHF spectrum to be used much more efficiently to carry both HDTV and mobile broadcast services alongside existing Freeview services once UK analogue TV broadcasting ends in 2012.

That paper contributed to a UK and an international dialogue that has led to the recent publication of proposals from Ofcom and the public service broadcasters to introduce terrestrial HDTV services in the UK, based on the new DVB-T2 standard. Ofcom has also indicated that it plans to auction off 14 of the UHF channels currently used for analogue broadcasting, leaving 32 channels to carry 6 digital TV multiplexes (networks).

Last autumn the authors of the original paper came together again to build on the progress made over the previous 18 months and to develop their earlier proposals taking into account the full potential for digital terrestrial broadcasting in the UK. This paper makes a set of radical proposals that build on current plans. If adopted over the next several years, these would enable the UK to retain its world leadership in digital terrestrial broadcasting bringing significant incremental benefits to every stakeholder – consumers, manufacturers, broadcasters and media companies, network operators, regulators, and the Government.

Proposals – For Discussion
We take as a working assumption that digital switchover will be completed by 2012 and that Ofcom’s proposals for the sixth multiplex will eventually go ahead, offering HDTV services using MPEG4 and DVB-T2. We believe these steps are not sufficient to meet consumers’ or industry’s needs. (It should also be noted that a separate proposal to introduce terrestrial HDTV using DVB-T and MPEG4 has been made.)

Download pdf HDTV and Mobile TV: post Digital Switchover

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