Digital TV Transition andNew Video Distribution TechnologiesVeena RawatPresident,Communications Research Centre Canada

CRC is Canada’s Primary Federal Laboratory for R&D in Advanced Telecommunications

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Wireless and Satellite

Internet

Networks

Broadcasting

CRC is right in the middle of the telecommunication convergence!CRC is right in the middle of the telecommunication convergence!

Agenda

Traditional Broadcasting

Transition to Digital TV

Digital Dividend

Emerging Video Delivery Technologies 

Summary

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Traditional Broadcasting

Now: Traditional broadcasting in CanadaOver-the-air (OTA) (10 % of Household for NTSC)CATV (64%)Satellite (26%)

Future: Emerging delivery technologies               Improvement to ATSC DTV TransmissionIPTVInternet TV Mobile TV: ATSC M/H, DVB-H, MediaFlo, ISDB-T…Wi-Fi/Wimax

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5% of video viewing in 10 years? 10 %? 20%? 50%?

5% of video viewing in 10 years? 10 %? 20%? 50%?

Traditional Broadcasting

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Transition to DTV and HDTV well under way in Canada: Virtually complete for Satellite and Well advanced for Cable 

Canada decides to let the market forces dictate the transition for digital terrestrial TV transmission

End of Analog TV Transmission:United States 12‐6‐2009 

Canada 31‐8‐2011 

Mexico    1‐1‐2022  

Europe Recomm. 1‐1‐2012

Transition CompletedTransition for Full‐Power only.  LPTV analogTransition in ProgressTransition not started yetNo transition plan         No information was available

Terrestrial Digital Television Transition in Canada

In 2002, the CRTC set out the regulatory framework for licensing DTV stations, market would drive transition

In 2007, the CTRC revised its transition policy (of  allowing the market to determine when the analogue switch‐off begins) and indicated a tentative date to shut‐down analog TV by August 31, 2011 except in northern communities

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CRTC Announcement on March 22, 2009 (CRTC 2010‐167)

There is no change to the August 31, 2011 analog TV switch-off dateCRTC requires mandatory DTV conversion for the 31 largest markets by Aug. 31, 2011 – 165 stationsThe 31 largest markets:

300,000+ populationProvincial/territorial capitalsMarkets served by multiple originating stations to convert to DTV by 2011

TV stations outside the major markets and on channels 52-69 (700 MHz Band) to vacate their channels by 2011 - 20 stationsRemaining analog TV operations are “secondary” to DTV after 2011Altogether about 185 stations out of a total of 750 need to convert to DTV by August 2011

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DTV Arrangements with the USA

Exchange of letters between Industry Canada and the FCC is in placeFormalizes our respective post‐transition allotments/assignments in the border area (360 km) 

Provides guidelines on the coordination of new allotments and changes to the plan during Canadian transition

A Treaty Agreement is being finalized:To replace the existing TV agreement and the transitional arrangements

To come into force after both countries complete transition to DTV

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Television Market

(in ,000) World Mexico USA Canada

Households 1,800,00 25,000 115,760 13,731

TV households 85 930 23,175 114,500 13,593

Penetration (TV % of households)

65.3 % 92.7 % 98.9 % 99%

Penetration (HDTV % of households)

6 % ? 44.6% 37%

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FCC Broadband Plan (USA)

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FCC hoping to free 120 MHz from digital television broadcasting spectrum

Voluntary basis

Broadcasters to share auction revenue with government (if approved by US Congress).

US Broadcasters claimed that they need this spectrum to support Mobile TV (ATSC‐M/H), 3D‐TV and Emergency Alerting

12 major US TV groups to aggregate spectrum to offer national mobile TV service 

Transition Issues

Has many objectivesTechnical

Cultural

Consumer interests

Public interests

Need to know various jurisdictions/legislations in a given country

Need firm timelines and roadmap for transition and post transition

Urban/Rural phased‐in approach provides flexibility

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Transition Issues (continued)

Rules for broadcasters to use extra capacity available within their channel (e.g. mobile, TV, Data) ??

Support for Set‐top boxes ??

Simulcast period during transition

Termination of availability of analog equipment ??

Timing for use of Digital Dividend ??

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Digital Dividend

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The 700MHz band: TV Channels 52‐60

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52                     Lower 700 MHz                  5952                     Lower 700 MHz                  59

52     Future Communications Services    5952     Future Communications Services    59

60                                                            Upper 700 MHz                                                      6960                                                            Upper 700 MHz                                                      69

Commercial60   Mobile Services   62

Commercial60   Mobile Services   62

Public63   Safety   64

Public63   Safety   64

Commercial65    Mobile Services    67

Commercial65    Mobile Services    67

Public68    Safety    69

Public68    Safety    69

Lower 700 MHzLower 700 MHz Upper 700 MHzUpper 700 MHz

PSPSNTSC+ DTVNTSC+ DTVAnalog TV and DTV Simulcast (NTSC + DTV)Analog TV and DTV Simulcast (NTSC + DTV) PSPS

Analog TV and DTVSimulcast (NTSC + DTV)Analog TV and DTV

Simulcast (NTSC + DTV)

52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69

Future Communication ServicesFuture Communication Services

AuctionAuction

CMSCMS

CMS ‐ AuctionCMS ‐ Auction

PSPS

PS ‐ FCFSPS ‐ FCFS

CMSCMS

CMS ‐ AuctionCMS ‐ Auction

PSPS

PS ‐ FCFSPS ‐ FCFS

Commercial Services and Public Safety

Commercial Services and Public Safety

Band Range

Channel Number

Existing Services

Future Services

Licensing Process

Band Range

Future Services

Auctioned in the US in 2006

US and Canadian TV White Space Band Plans(TV Channels 2‐51)

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432 875 9 1211 13

16 17 2019

21 242322 25 282726 29 323130 33 3635

403938 41 444342 45 484746 49 5150

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54 72 MHz 76 88 MHz 174 216

470 512 MHz

512

614 668 698 MHz

Fixed (4 W) lowpower devicesFixed (4 W) lowpower devices Fixed (4 W) low power devicesFixed (4 W) low power devices

Fixed (4 W) and portable (100 mW) low power devicesFixed (4 W) and portable (100 mW) low power devices

Fixed (4 W) and portable (100 mW) low power devicesFixed (4 W) and portable (100 mW) low power devices

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10

1514

Fixed (4 W) low power devices in areas not used by PLMRSor CMRS  (licensed in 13 metropolitan areas)

Fixed (4 W) low power devices in areas not used by PLMRSor CMRS  (licensed in 13 metropolitan areas)

608

608 MHz

Remote Rural Broadband Systems (light licensing)Remote Rural Broadband Systems (light licensing)

Remote Rural Broadband Systems (light licensing)Remote Rural Broadband Systems (light licensing)

VHF

UHF

Digital Dividend: Steps Taken In Canada

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June 2006: RP‐06: Policy for the use of Television Channels 2 to 59 for advanced communications services in remote rural communities.(Focus licensing in Channels 25, 34, 35 and 43 initially to help manufacturers keep costs down and minimize broadcast coordination.)

A number of applications were filed (see Figure)

Interim Technical Guidelines for Remote Rural Broadband Systems (RRBS) Operating in the Band 512‐698 MHz(TV Channels 21 to 51) GL‐05 (March 2007)

Completion of the Radio Standard Specification: RSS‐196 (March 2010)

Publication of the Standard Radio System Plan: SRSP 300‐512 (March 2010)

Minimum distance from Canada/US border: 121 km until agreement is reached between FCC and IC.

Applications for Rural Broadband In Channels 2‐59

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Emerging Video Delivery Technologies

Improvement to ATSC

IPTV

Internet TV

Mobile TV

Wi‐Fi/Wimax

Placeshifting

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Broadcasting and telecommunications platforms

ConsumerConsumer

TSPsTSPs

ILECs/CLECsILECs/CLECs

CableBDUsCableBDUs

Technology/ IP DrivenTechnology/ IP Driven

WirelessWireless

ResellersResellers

Broadband

Convergence

Content

Broadband

Convergence

Content

WholesaleWholesale

Wholesale ServicesWholesale Services

WholesaleWholesale

Telephony/InternetTelephony/Internet

Internet/BDUInternet/BDU

Telco WholesaleTelco Wholesale

Traditional Telephone ServiceTraditional Telephone Service TelephonyTelephony

Video/RadioTelephonyInternet

Video/RadioTelephonyInternet

WebSitesWebSitesInternetInternet

Traditional BDU ServicesTraditional BDU Services Video/RadioVideo/RadioTrad

itiona

lBroa

dcasting

Converging

platform

sTrad

itiona

lTelecommun

ications

Supplier Platforms Customer

Source: CRTC, Communications Report 2009

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Over the airOver the air

Content ProvidersContent Providers

SatelliteSatellite

Improvements to ATSC (Digital TV Over‐the‐Air Transmission Standard)

Better Video Compression: MPEG‐4/AVC

Better quality : 1080P/60 Hz  (BlueRay)

More Robust Transmision Mode

Higher Capacity

Transmission to Mobile/Handeld: ATSC‐H/M

Adding IP data

Adding interactivity 

Adding non‐real‐time services

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IPTV: Main Features 

To broadcasters,IPTV (or Broadband Television) is simply “a new emerging platform for distributing digital television channels to home consumers using a TV screen”

To telecom industry,IPTV is synonymous with a new opportunity to take part in an attractive and dynamic media market

To content producers,A new way to reach consumers and generate increased revenue and profits

Broad range of IPTV services:

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Standard Def. Television (SDTV)High Def. Television (HDTV)Video‐on‐Demand (VOD)Interactive program guid3eWeb browsing on TVMusic channelsLocal programmingVoice servicesEmergency servicesInformation servicesPersonal Video Recorder (PVR)

Interactive informationContent portabilityVideo clips on‐demandVideo calling/conferencingVideo messagingNetwork‐based time & placeshiftingPeer‐to‐Peer VideoHome automationOn‐line datingPersonalized advertisingWireless/Wireline Integration

IPTV: Challenges

Business challengesNeed to define successful business modelsTelcos being new players in the TV marketCompetition for content

Technology challengesBandwidth availabilitySystem integration (interoperability issues between network elements)QOS & QOE

Regulatory challengesNow regulates as Cable‐Satellite

Needs for restriction on content (since all channels are on demand thus no capacity restriction)

Need for National Regulations (since IPTV could be distributed internationally like voice)

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Internet TV

Video/Television distributed via the Internet (IP protocol)Point to point connectionsNot ideal for video delivery (real‐time constraints)Downloadable software players for PC’sStreaming ‐ client/server model Download: iTunes, Bittorrent, NapsterOn demand: You TubePeer‐to‐peer (P2P) (e.g. Hulu and others)Network capacity often challenged!

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Internet TV: Challenges

Delivery on a best effort basis, no QoSNetwork congestions causes:

Latencey due to need to bufferPacket lossesJerkiness in videoLimits bit rate ~200‐600 kbps rangeLink capacity fluctuations

Client‐server mode does not scale up very wellMulticast: the Internet is not yet multicast enabled

“The Web infrastructure, even Google’s [infrastructure], does not scale. It is not going to offer the quality of service that consumers expect.” Head of TV technology at Google

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Internet TV Improvements: 

Network capacity increasing

More consumers have access and subscribe to broadband connections 

Using Peer‐to‐Peer connections (P2P): Video makes up a significant portion of P2P traffic (more than 60 percent according to CacheLogic)

Good for “popular content”

Issues: latency, asymmetrical connections…

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Mobile TV

Video/Television delivery to portable, handheld and mobile devices

Mobile IPTV or Mobile internet TV

Several competing technologies3G‐4G wireless networks

DVB‐H (TV band)

ATSC H/M (TV band)

Qualcom/MediaFlo (TV band)

DMB (DAB‐TV Band)

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Example of Mobile TV Services

HBO Movies:  $5/monthEpisodes from 16 TV channels:  $8/monthPlus applicable Mobile Browser usage: 300 minutes/month + 1GB:  $65/month

HBO Movies:  $5/monthEpisodes from 16 TV channels:  $8/monthPlus applicable Mobile Browser usage: 300 minutes/month + 1GB:  $65/month

Bronze 30 (Olympic Special)100 local minutes 

Unlimited nights & weekends (6 p.m. ‐ 7 a.m.) local calling Unlimited 2010 Winter Games content including live TV events, 

video highlights, live radio coverage of hockey games, text message alerts, medal standings and schedules 

Minimum monthly fee$30.00 

Bronze 30 (Olympic Special)100 local minutes 

Unlimited nights & weekends (6 p.m. ‐ 7 a.m.) local calling Unlimited 2010 Winter Games content including live TV events, 

video highlights, live radio coverage of hockey games, text message alerts, medal standings and schedules 

Minimum monthly fee$30.00 

Unlimited web browsingand video

Starting at $15 a 

month

Unlimited web browsingand video

Starting at $15 a 

month

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Mobile TV: Limitations

Size/Weight

Small display size

Power consumption

Limits picture quality/resolution

Limited network capacity

Limited choice of programs

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New Aggregators

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Most Popular User Generated Content Distribution Via Broadcasting Networks

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Summary of Video Distribution Techniques

Cable TVIPTV

Satellite 

WI‐FI • WimaxInternet • Cellular

TV Transmitters

Distribution Rights !

Production Distribution Viewers

Placeshifting

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Summary

The transition to Digital TV is moving along around the world.The end of analog TV will free some spectrum in the Broadcast bands which will be used for new services.Video is now being distributed by many various means: Cable, Satellite, IPTV, Moble Phone networks, Internet…It opens many interesting issues:

How will video delivery shift from traditional to new distribution techniques in the next 5-10 years?Many business, technology and regulatory issues continue to be addressedWhat will be the impact of this shift on the New Media and Entertainment business?Which priorities do we use to allocate the Digital Dividend spectrum?

Different choices by different countriesUsing DTV for more programs not for more quality (e.g. HDTV)Combining TV and radio services on the same transmittersOffering basic internet access using Data BroadcastingDirectly jumping to a mobile internet infrastructure and by-passing a transition to Digital Broadcasting

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Merci, Thank You

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Veena.Rawat@crc.gc.ca  • www.crc.gc.ca

A List of Countries that Have Completed Transition to DTV

USA: June 12 2009. No more analog except for LPTVs

Germany: Nov 2008

Switzerland: Nov 2007

Belgium: March 2010

Denmark: Nov 2009

Norway: Dec 2009

Other countries that have completed transition and switched‐off analog: Sweden (2007), Netherlands, Finland (2008), Andorra and Luxembourg

EC recommendation: Jan 1, 2012

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Transition In Progress with Completion Dates Between 2010 and 2016 ‐ Switch‐off Dates

Argentina: July 9, 2016.

Australia: December 31, 2013. Australia OTA TV viewers about 35%.

Brazil: June 29, 2016.

France: November 2011.

Ireland: 2012.

Italy: December 31, 2012.

Mexico: 2022.

Russia: 2015.

United Kingdom: end of 2012

Spain: April 3, 2010.

Japan: July 24, 2011.

Malaysia: 2015.

Taiwan: December 2012.

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