Future of terrestrial broadcasting in the UHF band?

The Cush

The Cush wrote: »

It's likely to be used in the 700MHz band which will be available from about April 2020 here, when broadcasting has been cleared from the band, and using the APT700 lower duplexer bandplan. 5G is likely to be commercially available from 2020.

Above from another thread.

Ofcom yesterday published its plans for 5G spectrum in the UK, including the 700 MHz band spectrum which will be become available by mid 2020 in both the UK and Ireland.

The Cush

Ofcom statement: Moving Freeview to make more airwaves available for mobile – the ‘700 MHz clearance’ + rollout map - 8 February 2017

Updated Ofcom UK clearance map showing approximate migration dates.
N. Ireland is down for Q3 2019, we already know the fixed date for the start of the clearance for the whole island from the Dept of Communications, 4th Sept 2019.

The Cush

Two further tenders from RTÉ/2rn related to transmitter clearance work. The first 2 tenders, published last Dec, related to antenna upgrades at various sites - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=102228741#post102228741


DVB-T Transmitter Systems from 1.4kW to 5.5kW

2RN invites submissions, from suitably qualified Tenderers for the supply, design, manufacture, commissioning, factory testing, delivery to site, off-loading, installation, commissioning and site acceptance testing of DVB-T re-transmitter systems on six (6) 2RN sites.

Value excluding VAT: €2.7m

https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=107766&B=ETENDERS_SIMPLE&PS=1&PP=ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders
https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders/ViewNotice/188571

Re-Transmitter & Combining Systems

2RN invites submissions, from suitably qualified Tenderers for the supply, design, manufacture, commissioning, factory testing, delivery to site and off-loading and site acceptance testing (where necessary) of DVB-T re-transmitter and / or combining systems on thirty-three (33) 2RN sites with output powers (per channel) ranging from 5W to 1.5kW.

Value excluding VAT: €1.1m

https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=107934&B=ETENDERS_SIMPLE&PS=1&PP=ctm/Supplier/publictenders
https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders/ViewNotice/188707

The Cush

Silicon Republic article today on LTE SDL tests carried out in the UHF broadcasting band last Sept in Finland - Frequency frustrations precede inevitable arrival of 5G

DTG report on the tests last Sept - http://dtg.org.uk/news/news.html?id=5628

Not content with the upcoming release of the 700MHz band the mobile lobby is also trying to get partial access to the remaining UHF broadcast band (470-694MHz) by using technology like LTE SDL for downlink only capacity in the interleaved spectrum. The problem is the potential interference to broadcasting from this technology.

LTE-B (broadcast)

LTE-B is the preferred new (and more market-friendly term) for evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (eMBMS), a technology that allows a mobile operator to send a single stream of data to all mobile users in one area, rather than sending an individual stream to each user, easing the network load on operators and also ensure better QoS for customers.

http://www.telecomtv.com/articles/4g-and-lte/lte-broadcast-alliance-to-host-forum-at-mwc-as-it-seeks-greater-industry-collaboration-14291/

The proposed EU decision on the UHF band currently making it way through the legislative process allows member states flexible use of the sub-700 MHz band provided it causes no harm to broadcasting in neighbouring states

Article 4

Member States shall ensure availability at least until 2030 of the 470-694 MHz frequency band for the terrestrial provision of broadcasting services, including free television and for use by wireless audio PMSE equipment, based on national needs while taking into account the principle of technological neutrality. Member States shall ensure that any other use of the 470-694 MHz frequency band on their territory is compatible with the national broadcasting needs in the relevant Member State and does not cause harmful interference to, nor claim protection from, the terrestrial provision of broadcasting services in a neighbouring Member State. Such use shall be without prejudice to obligations resulting from international agreements, such as cross-border frequency coordination agreements.

http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-5078-2017-INIT/en/pdf

The Cush

This week's European Parliament plenary see the proposed legislation on the use of the UHF band in the EU, for the next 14 years or so, reach the debate stage late Tuesday night followed by the vote on the proposal and amendments on Wednesday afternoon. Following a successful vote the legislation will revert to the Council for final approval and publication.

Interinstitutional agreed text, approved by parliamentary committee last Jan

The Cush

Proposed legislation on the use of the 470-790 MHz UHF band in the EU was passed in the European Parliament today. On to Council for approval.

614 for, 44 against, 28 abstensions. Nine of Ireland's MEPs who were in attendance voted for the legislation (Boylan, Carthy, Childers, Clune, Flanagan, Harkin, Hayes, Kelly, McGuinness), Two weren't in attendance (Crowley, Ni Riada).

Capt'n Midnight

The Cush wrote: »

Proposed legislation on the use of the 470-790 MHz UHF band in the EU was passed in the European Parliament today. On to Council for approval.

The 470-694 MHz (‘sub-700 MHz’) frequency band remains exclusively allocated to the broadcasting services on a primary basis and to wireless audio PMSE use on a secondary basis.
...
Such a release would help achieve the goal of long-term regulatory predictability for DTT by making the sub-700 MHz frequency band available until 2030, although this would have to be reviewed by 2025.

so channels 61-69 will be gone by 2020 +/- two years.

Interesting that the old prediction is coming true. In the past wired was used for point to point and wireless was used for broadcast. We are transitioning to wireless for point to point and broadcast by wired/fibre.

The worst case would be where all wireless traffic is for individual communication and broadcast is done by cable in urban areas and satellite for the uncabelled in rural areas.

The Cush

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

so channels 61-69 will be gone by 2020 +/- two years.

The worst case would be where all wireless traffic is for individual communication and broadcast is done by cable in urban areas and satellite for the uncabelled in rural areas.

Channels 49-60 will be switched off here on Mar 4th, 2020. The remainder of the UHF broadcast band is locked down by that legislation until at least the end of 2030. By then rural areas should be well and truly fibred to the home and this is where the future of broadcast lies and this is where Saorview Connect and similar OTT services could be seen as the start of this transition.

The Cush

Further 700 MHz band migration tender from RTÉ

2RN Project Management Support 700MHz Migration Project

Detailed description

2RN invites submissions, from suitably qualified Tenderers for the supply Project Management Support services on a significant programme of projects which aim to migrate all Saorview services to frequencies below 700MHz in the UHF band.

https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=110568&B=ETENDERS_SIMPLE&PS=1&PP=ctm/Supplier/publictenders

The Cush

Dept of Communications 700 MHz band migration plan from last Dec 2016

The Cush wrote: »

- 4th September 2019 is the agreed and fixed Ireland/UK coordinated start date for clearance of the band
- In the UK all broadcasting in the band will cease within a number of weeks
- In Ireland this will be the start of the simulcast phase which will allow affected Saorview users time to make the necessary aerial upgrades. The simulcast phase ends 4th March 2020
- Ireland and the UK will sign the new agreed DTT bandplan in March 2017.
- Estimated transition/simulcasting costs to RTÉ/2rn is €8.6m. Compensation for the cost of transition will be provided and €8m was allocated at the last budget

Comreg, yesterday published a range of documents which gives us a progress update on the 700 MHz band migration plan. They include the coordinated bilateral agreement on the band, signed off between Comreg and Ofcom last Friday week - https://www.comreg.ie/publication/mou-co-ordinate-dtt-frequency-plans-ofcom-comreg/. This will replace the 800 MHz agreement from mid 2012.

Other documents published include the WEDDIP agreement from last April, which I posted here last May - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=99656082#post99656082

ComReg1723 Progress update on DTT migration to below the 700 MHz band; International coordination of Ireland's DTT spectrum plan
ComReg1723a Memorandum of Understanding to Co-Ordinate DTT Frequency Plans Between Ofcom and ComReg
ComReg1723b MoU for the use of Channel 55 and Channel 56 in the UK during the 700 MHz Band clearance Transition Period between Ofcom and ComReg
ComReg1723c-2 Agreement Between Ireland and France Concerning Frequency Co-ordination of DTT in the band 470 - 694 MHz
ComReg1723d DTT Frequency Plan in the Band 470 - 694 MHz Between the Administrations of Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxemberg, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom

Mickey Mike

Looks like a big job ahead, an awful mess if I may say so. Had 2rn known about this back in 2010 they would (I'm sure) kept well below the 700mhz range, especially when we have only 2 muxes. Group A would have done us. Now we have the awful expence in readjusting. And the worst part is the removal of the rest of the UHF band in 2030 approx, that only leaves us 13 years when terrestrial TV is what? gone maybe. It would be no bad idea to put Saorviews 2 muxes on the VHF band lll, that's all we ever need, hopefully with no interference with the UK. Band ll (fm) can be digitzes (surely) as I know all analogue radio will cease when younger generations take over. Time changes everything, believe me.

The Cush

It's far from a mess, much easier this time around, a number of transmitters will require new antennas and associated hardware which will all be paid for by the Dept of Communications. Most existing DTT infrastructure is no more than 8 years old so only transmitters affected by the 700MHz clearance will require work, Kippure gets a height extension and 2 new transposer sites are planned. Much less than the €61m it cost the first time around, this time an estimated €8m+.

Even back in 2010 when work on the 800 MHz band clearance was underway the 700 MHz band release was a long ways away, mid-2020's, and the country had a statutory requirement under the Broadcasting Act to plan for 8 or more muxes to stake our claim on valuable spectrum, used or not. If we had not staked our claim across the whole UHF band it would be lost to our neighbour.

WRC-2012 accelerated the process to release the 700 MHz band when it was added to the conference agenda by Africa and ME nations but agreement was reached to postpone it until the end of WRC-2015, giving European nations time to put the necessary technical and regulatory requirements in place.

Regarding the 2030 date, the regulation guarantees existing terrestrial spectrum where required until at least the end of 2030 and probably beyond. WRC-2023 will be the next time the whole UHF band (broadcast & mobile) gets looked at again.

Regarding BIII, any transition would require a whole new VHF TV network, complete replacement of all domestic TV aerials. Most of this band is already allocated to digital radio across Europe so limited available spectrum. Also because this spectrum is lower down the band combined with 7 MHz channels there is less mux capacity which means the content of the existing 2 UHF mux won't fit into 1 existing national VHF layer. In any case RTÉ has said they will not be using VHF for DTT.

Regarding BII radio, Europe is going with BIII for digital radio, there is no agreed digital radio standard for BII in Europe as the band is full with analogue radio, which will be around for a long time to come for most of the continent.

Mickey Mike

The Cush wrote: »

It's far from a mess, much easier this time around, a number of transmitters will require new antennas and associated hardware which will all be paid for by the Dept of Communications. Most existing DTT infrastructure is no more than 8 years old so only transmitters affected by the 700MHz clearance will require work, Kippure gets a height extension and 2 new transposer sites are planned. Much less than the €61m it cost the first time around, this time an estimated €8m+.

Even back in 2010 when work on the 800 MHz band clearance was underway the 700 MHz band release was a long ways away, mid-2020's, and the country had a statutory requirement under the Broadcasting Act to plan for 8 or more muxes to stake our claim on valuable spectrum, used or not. If we had not staked our claim across the whole UHF band it would be lost to our neighbour.

WRC-2012 accelerated the process to release the 700 MHz band when it was added to the agenda conference by Africa and ME nations but agreement was reached to postpone it until the end of WRC-2015, giving European nations time to put the necessary technical and regulatory requirements in place.

Regarding the 2030 date, the regulation guarantees existing terrestrial spectrum where required until at least the end of 2030 and probably beyond. WRC-2023 will be the next time the whole UHF band (broadcast & mobile) gets looked at again.

Regarding BIII, any transition would require a whole new VHF TV network, complete replacement of all domestic TV aerials. Most of this band is already allocated to digital radio across Europe so limited available spectrum. Also because this spectrum is lower down the band combined with 7 MHz channels there is less mux capacity which means the content of the existing 2 UHF mux won't fit into 1 existing national VHF layer. In any case RTÉ has said they will not be using VHF for DTT.

Regarding BII radio, Europe is going with BIII for digital radio, there is no agreed digital radio standard for BII in Europe as the band is full with analogue radio, which will be around for a long time to come for most of the continent.

Thank you for clarifying in great detail .

snaps

These are the monstrosities that are being installed here in Poland now. UHF is horizontal and vhf is vertical.

The Cush

Yesterday the EU's General Affairs Council of Ministers voted to accept the final text of the regulation that requires the members states to release the 700 MHz band for mobile broadband use by mid 2020.

The decision will become law in June following signature by both Council and Parliament and publication in the official journal.

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/04/25-mobile-connectivity-5g-technology/

The Cush

The EU Decision on the use of the 470 – 790 MHz frequency band comes into effect tomorrow, 14 June.

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32017D0899

Amongst the issues legislated for include guaranteeing the remaining UHF spectrum for broadcasting until at least 2030 and requiring the release of the 700 MHz band for mobile services by the end of June 2020.

This clears the way for Comreg to begin the process to auction the 700 MHz band, probably through a multi-band auction, maybe around 2019. The broadcasting clearance date for the band here is March 4th, 2020.

The Cush

To date Germany (€1bn+/2x30MHz), France (€2.8bn/2x30MHz), Finland (€66m/2x30MHz) and just recently Iceland (€625k/2x20MHz) have auctioned the band. Sweden goes next, this November, followed by Norway and others in 2018.

France has launched 4G services in the band around the Paris region which was cleared of broadcasting last year, nationwide rollout in the years ahead as broadcasting transitions to the sub-700MHz bands, to complete in 2019. (https://www.arcep.fr/index.php?id=12899&L=1)

Finland has fully cleared the band of broadcasting and 4G services could start nationwide from Feb 1st last. They are the closest in population size to Ireland that have auctioned the band to date and so an indicator to the value of the Irish 700 MHz band. The 3 winning bids paid approx. €22m each for a 2x10MHz slice of spectrum.

In Germany the band becomes available in 2019, they are currently transitioning broadcasting to the sub-700MHz bands and also in the process transitioning to a new terrestrial TV standard, DVB-T2 with HEVC compression.

Sweden will partially release 2x20MHz of the band this November while retaining 2x10MHz for broadcasting until the end of 2018. This may be allocated to the emergency services post-clearance. They are also consulting on making spectrum available for large-scale 5G tests in the 3.4-3.6GHz and 26GHz bands from 2017 onwards.

The Cush

Comreg's Work Plan to end of Jun 2018

Comreg's begins its consultation process later this year, prior to auctioning the 700MHz band (plus other spectrum) in 2018 or 2019. Broadcasting ceases in the 700 MHz band on Mar 4th, 2020, after a 6 months simulcast phase.

- Multi-Band Spectrum Award 2 (MBSA2)

Consultation - Stream 1: Future Mobile Connectivity (FMC) costing study (Q4 2017)
Response to Consultation - Stream 1: Future Mobile Connectivity (FMC) costing study (Q1 2018)

- Multi-Band Spectrum Award 2 (MBSA2)

Consultation - Stream 2: Develop award proposals to release 700 MHz, 1.4 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands and other substitutable or complementary bands (e.g. 2.1 GHz) (Q2 2018)

The Cush

Clearance of the 700 MHz band in Europe, some recent updates

France begins its clearance proper from Oct 3rd (Phase 1) and continues for a further 12 phases, ending Jun 2019. The Paris region was cleared back in Apr 2016 (Phase 0), at the time the transmission network reduced to 6 muxes and almost all channels switched to MPEG4 HD transmission.
http://www.recevoirlatnt.fr/particuliers/changement-de-frequences/changements-de-frequences-le-03102017-phase-1/#bottom

Germany Phase 2 clearance take place in early Nov and continues in a number of Phases, ending 2019. Terrestrial broadcasting transitioning from DVB-T/MPEG2 to DVB-T2/HEVC (1920x1080p50 fullHD)
http://www.dvb-t2hd.de/aktuelles/dvb-t2-hd-startet-in-die-zweite-runde

Here on the island of Ireland, north and south, clearance begins Sept 4th, 2019. Completed in NI after 2-3 weeks, 6 months simulcast transition in the Republic ending Mar 4th, 2020.

Johnboy1951

Is there any indication that Ireland might move from DVB-T/MPEG2 to DVB-T2/HEVC?

I don't expect so, just wondering .....

The Cush

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

I don't expect so, just wondering .....

No plans to do so during the transition phase in any case.

lucernarian

6 months seems excessive and an unnecessary cost. Would be better spent on new transmission facilities in Navan as well as Drogheda and Wicklow.

Capt'n Midnight

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Is there any indication that Ireland might move from DVB-T/MPEG2 to DVB-T2/HEVC?

I don't expect so, just wondering .....

IIRC Saorview certification has needed T2 almost since day one, but the original was just T1 for the first six months or so. So the original Saorview Certified set top boxes won't work.

What advantages would T2 bring given that neither existing Mux is using it's full bandwidth ?

Which brings on the next question of who would pay for it given that the full transmission costs aren't being paid for at the moment.

Sam Russell

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

IIRC Saorview certification has needed T2 almost since day one, but the original was just T1 for the first six months or so. So the original Saorview Certified set top boxes won't work.

What advantages would T2 bring given that neither existing Mux is using it's full bandwidth ?

Which brings on the next question of who would pay for it given that the full transmission costs aren't being paid for at the moment.

The full transmission charges are being paid, but not in a reasonable way. RTE pay about €8 m of the €12 m charges. If RTE moved all their channels onto one mux, they would only be liable for €6 million, and TV3, TG4, and OTV would be liable for €6 m.

If Saorview went DVB T2, then they could shut down the 2nd mux which would save €5 m or so.

Saorview should insist that SD means 720 by 576i, and that TV3 and TG4 should go HD. The Broadcasting act should insist the if a channel is in HD on any platform, it must be in HD on Saorview - the national broadcasting platform.

Now TV3 is owned by a large multinational media company, the protection should cease for little poor TV3. The shackles should come off RTE and they should be allowed to run RTE NEWS NOW as a news channel carrying ads to pay for real journalism, including foreign placed correspondents.

RTE are selling the family silver to pay for losses and redundancies.

The Cush

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

IIRC Saorview certification has needed T2 almost since day one, but the original was just T1 for the first six months or so. So the original Saorview Certified set top boxes won't work.

What advantages would T2 bring given that neither existing Mux is using it's full bandwidth ?

DVB-T2 has been mandatory for all newly approved Saorview receivers since 1st January 2013

No advantage migrating Saorview over to DVB-T2, lots of available capacity if required. The new DTT frequency plan allows for 6 muxes, although in reality only 4 are planned for near national coverage.

In France, for example, the 6 mux national network, which carries most channels in 1080i HD, still uses the DVB-T/MPEG-4 standard. Although this may change in the next 3-6 years on the basis of a consultation currently underway there on the future of DTT, a change to DVB-T2/HEVC is under consideration for full 1080pHD and UHD services.

Doltanian

Duplicate Broadcast on Saorsat should be a condition of carriage for Saorview. Rename Saorsat as Saorview via Satellite. Why should those in rural areas have to settle for an inferior service when TV3 should be forced onto the platform.

winston_1

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Is there any indication that Ireland might move from DVB-T/MPEG2 to DVB-T2/HEVC?

I don't expect so, just wondering .....

Ireland currently uses DVB-T/MPEG 4.

The Cush

Some recent 2rn tenders related to the 700 MHz clearance. The most recent tender is for an antenna measurement system and a drone to gather measurements

17P059 2RN 16044RX - UHF Filters & Splitters

Detailed description

2RN invites submissions, from suitably qualified Tenderers for the supply, design, manufacture, commissioning, factory testing and delivery to a central location of the receive filters & splitters for forty-seven (47) 2RN sites.

https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=118478&B=ETENDERS_SIMPLE&PS=1&PP=ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders

17P063 2rn 16044DR - UAV & Antenna Measurement System

Detailed description

2RN invites submissions, from suitably qualified Tenderers for the design, supply and delivery of an Antenna measurement system incorporating a UAV to gather measurements. The tender submission will include for training, software support and maintenance of the equipment.

https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=119688&B=ETENDERS_SIMPLE&PS=1&PP=ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders

STB.

The Cush wrote: »

Although this may change in the next 3-6 years on the basis of a consultation currently underway there on the future of DTT, a change to DVB-T2/HEVC is under consideration for full 1080pHD and UHD services.

Yes well if RTE wanted to change to dvb-t2, they should go the whole hog and hange to DVB-T2 HEVC. That way they might have some hope of getting onto one mux with a degree of future proofing, ie when a min standard is set for the mux.

The Italians have been using it for some time. The Germans and French are making similar moves.

The Cush

STB. wrote: »

The Italians have been using it for some time. The Germans and French are making similar moves.

The Germans are the only country using DVB-T2/HEVC for terrestrial broadcast TV, starting with the single pilot-mux at the end of May 2016. They started the full 3/6 mux transition at the end of March this year and will complete the transition from DVB-T/MPEG-2 to DVB-T2/HEVC in early 2019.

In Italy, DVB-T/MPEG2 is mainly used, and in some cases DVB-T2/MPEG4 is also used. They don't use HEVC. Since Jan 1st this year all terrestrial receivers sold (out) are mandated to include a DVB-T2 tuner and HEVC decoder, sell-in Jul 2016. Even though receivers are mandated broadcasters are under no obligation to transition to more spectrum efficient standards and can continue using their existing standards until 2030 if they choose.

New legislation was expected to be enacted by the end of 2017 on the clearance of the 700 MHz band. The clearance is expected to start in 2020 and finish by mid 2022. Some broadcasters may transition to the newer standards, DVB-T2 MPEG-4/HEVC, but this will depend on the uptake of receivers with the required tuner/decoders. Some households in Italy continue to use receivers, mainly STBs, with MPEG-2 decoders only today. Interesting ITU presentation on the difficult terrestrial situation in Italy from earlier this year here - https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Regional-Presence/Europe/Documents/Events/2017/Spectrum%20Management/Vincenzo_The%20Italian%20transition%20from%20analogue%20to%20digital%20terrestrial%20Rev3.pdf

In France, the 6 mux national network, which carries most channels in 1080i HD, still uses the DVB-T/MPEG-4 standard. Although this may change in the next 3-6 years on the basis of a consultation currently underway there on the future of DTT, a change to DVB-T2/HEVC is under consideration for full 1080pHD and UHD services.

Due to the lack of spectrum for a new national 7th mux they plan to launch a DVB-T2/HEVC test mux in urban areas, in available interleaved spectrum, around 2019, once the 700 MHz band has be cleared. This will serve 2 primary purposes, a test platform for broadcasters, manufacturers and regulators to test the new standards and 1080pHD/UHD content and will also act as a shop window for the general public in advance of a possible transition of the existing muxes in the early 2020s.

In other countries, the Czech Rep is currently transitioning to DVB-T2/HEVC, the Netherlands is preparing to switch its terrestrial network to DVB-T2 as per new licence conditions and will be moving to HEVC as part of the process. In Croatia DVB-T2/HEVC will be mandatory for terrestrial receivers from 2019.