Changes in spectrum regulation and planning, developments in ‘multicasting’ standards for mobile networks, and the opening of new broadcast markets in continents like Africa are causing some disruptive changes to the traditional concepts of Broadcast Networks – in terms of services, platforms and deployed technologies. This session will take a look at the profound changes that are occurring in 2013 and will investigate some of the effects and opportunities that will result.
Three areas of significant change will be explored:
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Spectrum: World Radiocommication Conference 2015 will focus on the possible future use of the frequency band 694 MHz to 790 MHz for mobile and broadband services. What will happen to the terrestrial TV broadcasting that has occupied this frequency band to date? Could we see the phasing out of terrestrial TV broadcasting, as we know it? Learn how commercial broadcasters’ rejection of digital terrestrial broadcasting in some regions of Germany could indeed lead to a nationwide withdrawal from digital terrestrial services.
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Multicasting in Mobile Networks: Originally, cell-based networks for mobile receivers were designed for one-to-one bi-directional communications, and could not broadcast content to large numbers of users efficiently. However, mobile telecoms operators are already rolling out the new ‘eMBMS’ (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service) platform which will offer subscribers mobile TV and radio as a one-to-many broadcast service without causing network congestion or requiring additional spectrum. Will eMBMS cellular networks really take over the job currently performed by the traditional broadcast networks?
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New Markets: Many regions’ terrestrial broadcast networks have developed over the years through stages of analogue and digital TV standards and modulation techniques. New market opportunities in continents like Africa are enabling Broadcasters to jump straight to HDTV and second generation digital technologies. The networks are driven by the need to roll-out quickly and to leverage off any existing infrastructure. This has resulted in lower power, lower site network structures and most definitely in network configurations significantly different from those used in the traditional high-site broadcasting approach.
Come to this session to understand of how these new technologies work, and gain insight into exactly what the implications and disruptions will be to your business and our industry.
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