Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Convergence and Implication

Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting converging and ImplicationReza Tadayoni*, Knud Erik SkoubyCenter for Tele-Information, Technical University of Denmark, Building 371, DK-2800 Lyngby, DenmarkAbstractThis paper is a region to the development of analyses of the address of converging media and to theclarification of the regulatory implications of this process. It is full generally agreed that the process ofconvergence between tele talks, IT and send through its technological, organisational,and market/service aspects has far-reaching inuence on the sectors involved and on future socio-economicsettings. The paper explores the preparation for introduction of routine digital television in Denmark as anaspect in the general process of convergence. The explorative analysis establishes an understanding of thetechnological issues and drivers in the development, which in interaction shape a digital distributionstructure that is a concrete part of convergence. Based on this understanding, a model the OSA-model issuggested for the techno-economic structure of distribution of terrestrial digital TV. The model is used todiscuss market prospects and regulatory implications, as these are derived from the interplay of traditionalareas of regulation in the three sectors and areas emerging as candidates for regulatory activity based on theirfunctionality. The discussion of the process of introduction of terrestrial digital TV in Denmark thus providesa general analysis of convergence and its regulatory implications. ( 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rightsreserved.Keywords Terrestrial digital broadcasting Convergence DAB DVB1. IntroductionDuring the past few decades the communication landscape has been subject to radical changes.Traditionally, communication has been divided in three sectors telecommunication, broadcastingand information engineering (IT) which cover dierent communication applications. The sectoral0308-5961/99/$ see front matter ( 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.PII S 0 3 0 8 5 9 6 1 ( 9 8 ) 0 0 0 8 6 X1 This work is a result of move in two Danish research projects aid development, Internationalisation and Competences (SIC) project.Distributed Multi Media (DMM) project.2DAB and DVB is used for digital auditory sensation broadcasting and digital video broadcasting, respectively, without referenceto the specic European technologies/protocols-agreements using DAB and DVB as brand names.Division has been based not only on dierent technologies being used in the dierent sectors but ithas also evolved in close interplay between political-regulatory interventions, economic considerationsand technological characteristics.Understanding the dierent aspects of regulation in the information age requires a solidunderstanding of the development in the communication landscape as well as of the ongoingprocess of convergence between the traditionally separate forms of communication and of theinformation fusion. Technological specimetr opolis has not been determining for sectoral division and isnot determining for the convergence process but it has been a vital factor in this process.Technological innovations like digitalisation, audio and video coding technologies, computerisationand broadband infrastructures such as cable and satellite networks make serviceprovision across the sectoral boundaries possible. This also imposes new political and regulatorychallenges and makes re-thinking and re-designs of the existing regulatory framework for communicationa necessity.This paper1 discusses digital broadcasting as an instance in the convergence process where this isseen as a process with technological, economic/structural and regulatory aspects. Within digitalbroadcasting a focused area namely the terrestrial digital broadcasting in Denmark allow be studiedin details.Broadcasting is quickly moving into the era of digitalisation as digital audio broadcasting(DAB)2 and digital video broadcasting (DVB) to replace trad itional analogue broadcastingtechnologies. Full digitalisation of the whole production chain, from recording and editing overtransmission media to receivers in the end users homes, pull up stakes be a reality in 10 to 15 years. This isa challenging and extensive change that will face broadcasters, politicians and regulators in thecoming years. The main political and economic focus is generally on DVB and the transition hasalready started in some European countries, most notably the UK and Sweden.For users, DAB/DVB will oer many advantages over analogue broadcasting, such as bettertechnical quality, more programs and services on a given set of frequencies, and the resource ofmultimedia and interactive services. This development is an expression of converging mediaDAB/DVB will integrate elements from several dierent media, computers, telecommunicationsand broadcasting. The shift to digital broadcasting is not simple, however, as it introduces a rangeof interrelated political, econo mic and technical challenges. Some of these challenges are specic tothe mode of distribution satellite, cable or terrestrial with the latter having special problems andpotentials.As the basic technologies are now ready, solutions to two sets of regulatory issues are pertinentfor the development and diusion of terrestrial DVB. One set of issues is related to the concept ofPublic Service Broadcasters. In almost all countries, cultural policy considerations have givenrise to privileges and obligations for a few broadcasters.