“ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” MAY 22-23, 2011, HANOI, VIETNAM Digital Broadcasting Migration -Bhutan case Wangay Dorji (Mr.) HEAD, Telecommunications Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority BHUTAN Post Box 1072, Olakha, Babesa Express Road, Thimphu: Bhutan. E-mail: bca@druknet.bt URL: www.bicma.gov.bt , Tel: 321506, FAX: 326909

“ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” MAY 22-23, 2011, HANOI, VIETNAM - Current Broadcasting system in Bhutan - CONTENT Current Broadcasting System - Why Migration? - ITU’s support - Challenges pertaining to Migration - Policy and Regulatory Aspect - Possible Standards to be adopted - Bhutan Migration plan - Road Map Post Box 1072, Olakha, Babesa Express Road, Thimphu: Bhutan. E-mail: bca@druknet.bt URL: www.bicma.gov.bt , Tel: 321506, FAX: 326909

“ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” MAY 22-23, 2011, HANOI, VIETNAM CURRENT BROADCASTING SYSTEM A. BROADCASTER Bhutan has only one broadcaster( state-owned); Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) BBS Tv was officially launched on 2 June 1999, coinciding with the silver Jubilee celebrations of the coronation of His Majesty the Fourth King It started with a daily one (1) hour broadcast in Dzongkha and English in Thimphu BBS Tv was made available nationwide through satellite in February 2006 Post Box 1072, Olakha, Babesa Express Road, Thimphu: Bhutan. E-mail: bca@druknet.bt URL: www.bicma.gov.bt , Tel: 321506, FAX: 326909

“ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” MAY 22-23, 2011, HANOI, VIETNAM B. SYSTEM Uses Analogue television network system using PAL –B standards with 7 MHz channel spacing Broadcasted through low-power VHF transmitters in Band III ( 170- 230 MHz) , with radiated power of 150 W. This transmitter are upgradable to digital by replacing its present modulator with digital one. Distribution of services are also made through satellite transmission system via C Band Satellite INSAT 4 A Post Box 1072, Olakha, Babesa Express Road, Thimphu: Bhutan. E-mail: bca@druknet.bt URL: www.bicma.gov.bt , Tel: 321506, FAX: 326909

“ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” MAY 22-23, 2011, HANOI, VIETNAM C. SERVICES BBS Tv is now available not only in Bhutan but also in the region including 40 Asian countries – from Turkey in west to Indonesia in South East Asia. Broadcasts for 10 hours daily with 30 minutes of news and announcements. Various programmes and documentaries in both languages are telecast during the five hours of TV broadcast every evening. The same is rebroadcast the next morning from 6 to 11 am. Three additional hours of entertainment programmes and live music request shows are broadcast on weekend. Post Box 1072, Olakha, Babesa Express Road, Thimphu: Bhutan. E-mail: bca@druknet.bt URL: www.bicma.gov.bt , Tel: 321506, FAX: 326909

“ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” MAY 22-23, 2011, HANOI, VIETNAM WHY MIGRATION ? Migration from Analogue to Digital is inevitable as sooner or later the manufacturers will stop making analogue receivers. Besides, digital television transmission will provide additional capacity for delivery of additional services at low marginal cost per services. Shared capacity could deliver significant saving in infrastructure costs for additional services. “ Thus, it is not a question of should Bhutan migrate but rather when should it migrate! “. Post Box 1072, Olakha, Babesa Express Road, Thimphu: Bhutan. E-mail: bca@druknet.bt URL: www.bicma.gov.bt , Tel: 321506, FAX: 326909

“ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” MAY 22-23, 2011, HANOI, VIETNAM ITU SUPPORT In 2009, ITU provided consultant to undertake a review of the existing Bhutan broadcasting system and to conduct a feasibility study into a future project for developing a roadmap in Bhutan for transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting Post Box 1072, Olakha, Babesa Express Road, Thimphu: Bhutan. E-mail: bca@druknet.bt URL: www.bicma.gov.bt , Tel: 321506, FAX: 326909

“ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” MAY 22-23, 2011, HANOI, VIETNAM CHALLENGES PERTAINING TO MIGRATION “ The main challenges that could be faced is the Migration affordability” The cost of building the infrastructure would be huge Low and scattered population Lack of trained personals High cost of consumer set-top-box converters ( Affordability) Post Box 1072, Olakha, Babesa Express Road, Thimphu: Bhutan. E-mail: bca@druknet.bt URL: www.bicma.gov.bt , Tel: 321506, FAX: 326909

“ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” MAY 22-23, 2011, HANOI, VIETNAM POLICY AND REGULATORY ASPECT “ The converged Act ( Bhutan Information, Communications and Media Act 2006 ) clearly provides technology neutrality platform for the development of all ICT services including broadcasting “ “The Royal Government of Bhutan has recognized ICT as the central to country’s development , to enhance the provision of information and services to all its citizens and as Tool for poverty reduction and sustainable development “ Post Box 1072, Olakha, Babesa Express Road, Thimphu: Bhutan. E-mail: bca@druknet.bt URL: www.bicma.gov.bt , Tel: 321506, FAX: 326909

“ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” MAY 22-23, 2011, HANOI, VIETNAM A . Policy The Ministry of Information and Communications is responsible for developing policies and strategies for ICT Development in Bhutan. “Draft Broadcasting Policy “ clearly commits to uphold the principle of independent in the dual system of public and private broadcasters. keen on introducing competitive commercial television services Most of the required critical policy foundations for DTV are already outlined in the Act such as Open Access Network, infrastructure sharing, separation of contents and carriage etc. ) Broadcasting regulation will soon be launched by June, 2011. Post Box 1072, Olakha, Babesa Express Road, Thimphu: Bhutan. E-mail: bca@druknet.bt URL: www.bicma.gov.bt , Tel: 321506, FAX: 326909

“ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” MAY 22-23, 2011, HANOI, VIETNAM B. Regulation “ The Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) is the regulatory for ICT and Media services in Bhutan. Its responsibility includes licensing and spectrum management” Adopted technology neutrality and service sector neutrality regulation Liberal and fair Spectrum allocation mechanism Transparent licensing system Post Box 1072, Olakha, Babesa Express Road, Thimphu: Bhutan. E-mail: bca@druknet.bt URL: www.bicma.gov.bt , Tel: 321506, FAX: 326909

“ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” MAY 22-23, 2011, HANOI, VIETNAM BHUTAN’S MIGRATION PLAN – Road map A Working Committee (WC) has been formed to develop the Road Map for digital migration. The Road Map will address the following issues: Policy and Regulatory issues ( review of current legislation and regulation that may impact on the establishment and operation of infrastructures and services) Overall system parameters for market and business development System and network standards ( System transmission standards) Spectrum allocation Mechanism of implementation including timing of digital commencement and migration Post Box 1072, Olakha, Babesa Express Road, Thimphu: Bhutan. E-mail: bca@druknet.bt URL: www.bicma.gov.bt , Tel: 321506, FAX: 326909

“ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” MAY 22-23, 2011, HANOI, VIETNAM POSSIBLE STANDARD TO BE ADOPTED Bhutan might adopt European DVB-T system , since our big neighbor India is going for this system as well as due to its wide acceptance by many countries. Bhutan is also looking into the use of MPEG4 coding for compression over MPEG 2 Post Box 1072, Olakha, Babesa Express Road, Thimphu: Bhutan. E-mail: bca@druknet.bt URL: www.bicma.gov.bt , Tel: 321506, FAX: 326909

TASHI DELEK AND THANK YOU REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON “ STRENGTHENING DIGITAL BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE” MAY 22-23, 2011, HANOI, VIETNAM TASHI DELEK AND THANK YOU Post Box 1072, Olakha, Babesa Express Road, Thimphu: Bhutan. E-mail: bca@druknet.bt URL: www.bicma.gov.bt , Tel: 321506, FAX: 326909