Using Satellite to provide Ubiquitous coverage for DVB-T/H content Distribution

New services for a new tomorrow

Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT)

DTT is the means of distributing television and radio programs wirelessly to the homes from a number of transmission towers and repeaters. It is a worldwide phenomena which will improve television services for consumers and lead to greater revenue generating opportunities for carriers. There are over 50 networks deployed and 60 million receivers deployed.

In analog television, a typically 8Mhz frequency range carried a single channel, whereas DTT allows for higher modulation and thereby the ability to carry more content in the same range (ex. 32Mbps with 64QAM). Digital content (i.e Program Streams) are multiplexed into MPEG-Transport Streams (TS) and carried to the subscriber homes over the radio frequencies. Broadcasters can opt for Multiple Frequency Networks (MFN) vs Single Frequency Networks (SFN). Tower and traffic synchronization considerations are a challenge. Support for SFN is key to early distribution.

Operator Challenges

• Speed of deployment of a new network. Most countries face “analog shut-down” legislated due dates (Brazil date is July 2016, USA is Feb 2009)
• CAPEX and OPEX of rolling out a new network
• Remote monitoring, control and security of content
• Integrating local content with universally distributed content.
• Ensuring synchronization of content.

Mobile TV

Mobile TV is the means of distributing television content wirelessly to handheld or mobile devices. Still in its infancy, 120 plus commercially launched Mobile TV services worldwide. Cellular operating are targeting Mobile TV as a means to increase ARPU. Consumers enjoy the freedoms of TV on the move and/or on demand.

Generally, two modes of delivery are used

• Two way cellular services available across high capacity 3g (WCDMA/HSPA) networks
• Broadcast services: such as DVB-H, MediaFlo, 1seg, etc

What is Mobile TV?

All standards used, including DVB-H and -SH, MediaFLO, CMMB and T-DMB support digital content multiplexed into MPEG TS and use multi-carrier digital modulation (COFDM) and the broadcast transmitters work in Single Frequency Network mode. This means they all transmit on the same frequency (channel) in order to use the spectrum efficiently as well as to allow the addition of gap-fillers and transceivers to guarantee good indoor coverage. This mode of operation requires all towers to transmit exactly the same information in a fully synchronized way in order to prevent interference between two adjacent towers. Transport can be MPEG or IP.

Operator Challenges – same as DTT

• Speed of deployment of a new network.
• Business model: specifically CAPEX/OPEX vs new ARPU.
• Remote monitoring, control and security of content
• Ensuring synchronization of content.

Why Satellite?

• Satellite has long been an effective means to distributing digital content as demonstrated from the overwhelming success of Direct to Home (DTH) services worldwide.
• Satellites ubiquitous coverage, reach and quick deployment, make it an ideal alternative to fixed terrestrial infrastructure for DTT or Broadcast Mobile TV content.
• Satellite bandwidth is independent of the number of towers and repeaters in a network.