Transition from Analogue to Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting in Sri Lanka Africa Asia Regulatory Conference 2012 Helasiri Ranatunga Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka 1

Table of contents Overview Current Situation UHF TV Frequency Allocation Policy Decisions Proposed Time Plan Present Status 2

Digitalization of broadcasting service is a megatrend in the world, Maintaining analog broadcasting infrastructure will be costly, Maximize the utilization of the precious radio spectrum available, Availability of advanced telecommunication services as a result of digital dividend, Overview 3

The Government of Sri Lanka has taken the initiative for the transition, A subcommittee was appointed by the Ministry of Mass Media and Information, In December 2010 subcommittee report on policy framework for the digitalization of terrestrial television broadcasting was submitted. In Mid 2011 digitalization Roadmap was prepared under ITU assistance. Overview Contd. 4

Analogue TV standard –PAL(B) Frequencies are assigned by TRCSL. VHF channels in band I/III (Ch 3-12) UHF channels in band IV/V (Ch ) are allocated Typical nature of the terrain condition provides a greater assistance for frequency reuse in TV broadcasting. Current Situation 5

MOBILE 5.313A 5.317A BROADCASTING UHF TV Frequency Allocation in Sri Lanka 6

BroadcastingMobile 470MHz 806MHz 960MHz Present Allocation Digital BroadcastingOther 470 MHz698 MHz 806 MHz Future Allocation 7

Digital transmission will be on DVB-T2 standard. A new Infrastructure service provider, DBNO needs to be established by MMMI. The DBNO needs to set up the free-to-air digital transmission network to accommodate all current analogue TV licensees. System licence and Frequency licence will be issued by TRCSL to the DBNO. Initially two frequencies, UHF CH 41 and 43 will be assigned to the DBNO. 8 Policy Decisions

Eight Main Transmitting Stations 9 1.Kokavil 2.Colombo 3.Yatiyantota 4.Piduruthalagala 5.Karagahatenna 6.Namunukula 7.Gongala 8. Hantana

Mid 2012: Deployment of DVB-T2 pilot transmission services in Northern Province and Western Province; Mid 2014: Deployment of DVB-T2 services from eight principal stations; End 2015: Analogue TV shut off in Western Province; End 2017: Complete ASO 10 Proposed Time Plan

MMMI is in the process of setting up the DBNO. Evaluations are being carried out to identify an Investor for the infrastructure facilities of the DBNO. Actions have been taken to vacate UHF CH 41 and Present Status

Thank You. 12