s viewers
demand an
ever‐greater
choice of
channel line‐
ups and
enhanced
multimedia applications, nations
around the globe are fast‐tracking
the implementation of Digital
Terrestrial Television (DTT).
Switching from analogue to DTT
allows nations to provide their
populations with improved
reception quality, better delivery of
channel lineups and enhanced
multimedia applications, such as
video‐on‐demand and
entertainment services. It also
enables the more efficient use of
spectrum, since frequencies
formerly used by analogue
broadcasts can be repurposed for
wireless networks that can
contribute to national economic
growth as more citizens gain access
to connectivity.
Moreover, the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU)
has set a 2015 deadline for the
analogue switch‐off, so the
transition is well under way in
many countries around the world
with governments, regulators,
broadcasters and operators
In many countries around the world the
transition to DTT is well under way to meet the
2015 deadline for analogue switch-off. Satellite
has always been a critical part of the content
delivery chain for TV distribution but it is an
even more critical part of the content delivery
chain for DTT, argues Peter Ostapiuk, VP Media
Product Management at Intelsat. Here he
considers the critical components that will
ensure a successful DTT implementation
A
DIGITAL
working together to implement
DTT solutions.
As satellite has always been a
critical part of the content delivery
chain for television distribution, it
is an even more critical part of the
content delivery chain for DTT. The
flexibility that satellite technology
offers when it comes to broadcast
distribution means that the end
user can tailor the satellite links to
their own circumstances and needs,
while at the same time having the
ability to export broadcast channels
to viewers anywhere in the world.
However, in order to achieve a
successful DTT implementation, a
nation or licence holder must
consider three critical components
before determining the right
technology solution in order to
achieve an efficient and effective
transition to DTT:
• Which technical solution can best
meet the needs of viewers in a cost‐
effective way?
•What is the required level of
population penetration and what
programming must be delivered?
•Will the solution implemented
today be able to support changing
requirements for the future?
CONSIDER THE LANDSCAPE
As no two nations or regions are
TRANSITION
