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Business Review 1996/1997
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Business Review 1996/1997
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Television Broadcasting
Satellite Television
The Agency has continued to play a key role in the preparations for the review and revision of the 12/18 GHz Plans for the Broadcasting Satellite Service at the World Radiocommunications Conference in 1997 (WRC-97) by chairing and participating in Project Team 2 of the CEPT Conference Preparatory Group. Similarly the Agency has participated in planning exercises and regulatory - procedural studies conducted within the ITU-R Working Party 10-11S and the ITU Radiocommunications Bureau's Planning Exercises Team, also preparing for WRC-97. One of the major objectives of WRC-97 is to overhaul the Broadcasting Satellite Plans using up-to-date technical parameters and flexible procedures to accommodate new ITU countries. Proposals to modify the Plans with new satellite television networks should maximise the efficient use of the valuable spectrum/orbit resource.
Terrestrial Television: Digital TV
Work towards the introduction of terrestrial digital television has continued throughout the year. A key forum dealing with the possibilities for the introduction of Terrestrial Digital Video Broadcasting, DVB-T, in Europe is CEPT Project Team PT24, which is chaired by the Agency. PT24 has undertaken the preparatory work for a CEPT Extraordinary FM Working Group meeting, to be held in the UK in July 1997. An important aim of this meeting is to produce a Multilateral Co-ordination Agreement to be adopted by CEPT Administrations at the meeting: this will facilitate the introduction of DVB-T in Europe.
There has been continued development of a UK transmitter plan for DVB-T by the broadcasters and the Agency has reviewed, approved and sent for co-ordination via the ITU in Geneva the first batch of digital stations which will form the core of the new service. An invitation to apply for licences to operate multiplexes on commercial terrestrial digital television has been issued by the ITC, and a considerable amount of interest has been shown in these new services. Each multiplex will be able to carry several programme channels per RF channel leading to improved spectrum efficiency and increased viewer choice. Licences are expected to be awarded in late spring/early summer, with the commencement of operational services in summer 1998.
Working with representatives of the broadcasting industry in the committees of ETSI and Study Group 11 of the ITU Radiocommunications Sector, the ITU-R, the Agency has formally agreed to many of the standards necessary for the launch of digital television.
Terrestrial Television: Analogue TV
Throughout the year the Agency continued its role of examining broadcasters' proposals for the extension of the national coverage of BBC1, BBC2, Channel 3 and Channel 4. During the period December 1995 to December 1996, technical approval for a further 18 new relay stations and 18 self-help stations was granted.
Following a review of the new proposals for Channel 5 and a successful further co-ordination of the stations in the transmitter plan, the service was launched at the end of March 1997. The impact of the new service on other users of the spectrum, such as 50 cm radars and radio astronomy, is being carefully monitored. Work has also been undertaken on some late changes and additions to the Channel 5 transmitter plan, aimed at the further optimisation of coverage.
Terrestrial Television : MVDS
Development of Multipoint Video Distribution Systems (MVDS) has continued with the establishment of two trials in the UK. The first is in Eurobell's West Kent local delivery franchise with transmissions in the Paddock Wood area, and the second is in ECMS's Sussex franchise with transmissions from Burgess Hill. Both trials involve digital transmissions of MPEG2/DVB multiplexes compliant with the ETSI standard for MVDS, ETS 300 748 which is supported by the Agency's MPT 1560 type approval specification. The Agency is participating in the second trial through the provision of mobile measurement facilities to gather data for frequency planning and interference analysis purposes.
EMC
Under the procedures set up to deal with television broadcast transmitters with respect to the Agency's Notified Body role under the EMC Directive, 4 EMC type-examination certificates have been issued during the period.
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