Norway chooses Dmb for Mobile Tv

A consortium comprising three of Norway's largest broadcasters has chosen DMB for the launch of a mobile TV service this winter. Public broadcaster NRK and commercial broadcasters TV2 and MTG are planning a nine-channel line-up; on demand content and related services.


"This marks the start of real mobile TV. This is not about ‘mobile phone TV it is about mobile TV that can be received by other devices too. Our goal is to make mobile TV widely available, easy to use and free of charge," said Gunnar Garfors, NRK's director of development.


The joint venture company Norsk mobil-TV AS is currently in discussion with terminal manufacturers, technical companies and telecom operators to help prepare for the launch. Transmissions will commence in Greater Oslo, an area that covers 30% of the Norwegian population.


DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) is seen as the best technology in Norway due to cost efficient coverage of large and rural areas. The receivers are also compatible with DAB that already covers 80% of the population.


The selection is a further blow to DVB-H, mandated by the European Commission, though Norway remains outside the economic area. Already the UK regulator Ofcom has auctioned capacity to proprietary system Qualcomm.

Czech Tv inks Dtt deal

The Czech public broadcaster CT has signed an agreement with the national transmission company Radiokomunikace. According to a local report, it will allow CT to distribute its programming digitally to 95% of the population.


CT’s channels can already be received digitally by around half of Czech viewers via a DTT multiplex operated by Radiokomunikace.

Greece to launch Dtt in November

Greece is set to introduce DTT transmissions on November 1, 2008, according to Minister of State, Theodoros Roussopoulos. State broadcaster ERT will be the first to take its test broadcasts nationwide. Private and regional broadcasters will also be allowed, but at first their licences will need to be issued.


Greece has been very late to introduce digital broadcasting and the European Commission has warned the government to take action. The government has asked the National Technical University of Athens to produce a new frequency plan, to come into effect on November 1st.


The new plan should put an end to the current chaotic situation in the ether, with many unlicensed analogue broadcasters. At a joint press conference the Ministers of State and Communications said they hope that "in this way order will be restored in the sector."


ERT started its first pilot broadcasts on January 16, 2006 using five transmitters in Athens, Thessaloniki and Thessaly to distribute the channels Prism (with sign language for the hard of hearing), Cine+ and Sport+.

CSA publishes Dtt expansion plan for 2009

The French media authority CSA has published a list of 71 new Dtt transmitters that will be taken into service before the summer of 2009. This is the first batch, and more additions to the network will be published at a later date.


The CSA plans to achieve a potential reach of 92% of the total French population by the end of next year. This year, reach is expected to be 89%. The complete list if 71 transmitter sites can be found at downloaded from the CSA website.

Hungary awards Dtt licences

Antenna Hungaria has won the right to operate Hungary's future DTT platform, which should now make its debut by the end of the year.


The National Telecommunications Authority (NHH) has awarded the TDF - backed national transmission company 12-year licences for what will eventually be five TV and one radio multiplexes.


According to the regulator, Antenna Hungaria secured 89 points in the digital TV tender, with the Slovak-backed company Digital Broadcasting, gaining 84 points.


In the radio tender, Antenna Hungaria gained 90 points and publicly owned Magyar Radio 85 points.


The licences will give Antenna Hungaria the right to offer DVB-H services on the third digital TV multiplex.


Analogue switch off is expected in Hungary at the end of 2011 at the latest.