Fundamental Considerations for the Deployment of DTT Transmission Facilities in South Africa F.Lindeque Pr. Tech Group Executive : Network Services Sentech Ltd

Background Sentech is the common carrier broadcasting signal distributor in South Africa – state owned but commercially run. Operating a number of national networks of analogue terrestrial TV & FM transmitters. DTH digital satellite. FM Network – 11 official languages –average of 80% of population. 204 remote site medium/high power transmitters. Tests on DAB. Tests on DTT. Obtained a CoC (Carrier of Carriers) as well as MM (Multimedia) licenses in 2002 – bridging the digital divide.

Public TV Broadcast Services ServiceCoverageFormat SABC 189% *Terrestrial Analogue *Satellite digital SABC 291% *Terrestrial Analogue *Satellite digital SABC 377% *Terrestrial Analogue *Satellite digital

Public Broadcast Services At least 3 million households do not own TV sets (could be as high as 5 million). Impact on at least 15 million people. Effective access to PB TV services is at best between 60 to 70%.

Band Planning Unlike European countries in Region 1 where re-planning of spectrum is essential to ensure orderly deployment of DTT, a complete band re-plan in South Africa is not a priority due to the current level of spectrum utilization, effective management, and regional coordination requirements.

Band Planning (cont.) The foremost consideration in South Africa is to initially reserve and apply spectrum capacity for the migration of Public broadcasting television services-specifically initiating the Metro areas. Currently DTT replication of existing analogue this can be achieved without disruption to the existing analogue transmissions.

Considerations Social needs/expectations. End to end service provision. Limited spectrum in metropolitan areas Affordability of STBs. Acceptance of new technology. Cost factors for installing new networks. Migration period of 10 to 15 years.

New PBS Platform Introduction of new regional services. Launch combination of DTT and DTH. DTH initially metropolitan areas with evolutionary expansion. DTH to Viewing centers, MPCCs. Schools etc. Protection of existing analogue PBS. Replicate existing analogue coverage. Migration period 10 to 15 years. Coastline-simplifies spectrum availability and co- ordination. Southern African states same plan-low spectral utilization.

Spectrum Consideration Retain GE 89 Television plan and use spare allocations on this plan. Viewers shall then use same receive antennas. Spectrum is limited in metropolitan areas. Sufficient to launch DTT. Moratorium on analogue. Importance of effective planning and management. Preserve resource capacity for PBS & migration to digital.

Technology Choices Television ANALOGUE TERRESTRIAL COVERAGE: ( % population) SATELLITE DTH COVERAGE: (% population) 90% 100%

Terrestrial Expansion Considerations PBS to be protected against interference during migration. Moratorium on new analogue networks. Deploy DTT platforms from the same high sites. No disruption of current analogue services. Best chance of non-interference – SFNs. Replication of existing analogue services. Expansion of existing PBS networks can be done on analogue(rural areas). New networks have to be digital. UHF spectrum available in rural areas.

PBS: Analogue to DTT - Essence of Successful Migration Has to be in line with government policy. Extensive use of latest technology. Affordability. Reserve existing available spectrum. Ensure minimum interference on all analogue services during implementation. Ensure minimum discomfort for viewers. Success of workable strategy, network roll-out and approach. Basic services on basic platforms in basic places.

Workable roll-out strategy Co-ordinate with other government initiatives. Integrated approach for rural areas. Terrestrial services will be complimented by satellite DTH. DTT, DAB and DRM will not provide quick fixes. FM will remain for years to come DAB complementary to FM and for niche market initially. Deliver services in more innovative, effective and efficient ways. End to end service provision

End-to-End Service Provision The portion of the population most desperate for access simply cannot afford receive equipment. Key challenges is to provide a means of receiving DTT/DAB services.

Conclusion Current band plan should not be changed for South Africa. Need time to roll out new platforms. New technology platforms (DTT) to be established for regional services. Migration to DTT to be started soon. Migration will take 10 to 15 years and need to have little impact on current analogue services. DTT and DTH to be used in complementary capacity to provide regional services. Interference to the consumer to be minimized. STBs and reception facilities to be established for PBS.

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