Promoting Digital TV Broadcasting Worldwide Discover the Benefits of digitag Membership
DigiTAG Mission DigiTAG s mission is to promote and defend digital terrestrial television (DTT) on a worldwide basis bringing together industry players to protect spectrum for broadcasting, regardless of the technical standard used on the DTT platform. DigiTAG seeks to advance and safeguard the development of digital terrestrial television. It encourages and aims to facilitate the introduction and implementation of national DTT platforms regardless of the business model, regulatory regime or technology adopted. DigiTAG Benefits DigiTAG is the only organisation that brings together all stakeholders involved in the launch, rollout, implementation and evolution of the DTT platform. Membership is diverse and reflects the different perspectives within the industry. However, all members share the common interest in promoting digital terrestrial television and safeguarding its future. Membership opportunities Information: learn the latest news about the DTT industry around the world Networking: meet other stakeholders in the DTT industry - broadcasters, regulators, manufacturers, and network operators. Cooperate: work with other industry organisations to coordinate common positions and recommendations related to DTT services Access: participate in DigiTAG events attended by national DTT decision-makers Marketing: opportunities to promote member business at events
advance &safeguard
JOIN DigiTAG DigiTAG membership is open to any organisation directly involved in the launch and implementation of DTT services around the world. This includes broadcasters, service providers, broadcast network operators, professional and consumer equipment manufacturers, regulators and other organisations that endorse the objectives of DigiTAG. Membership fees are payable each year and vary depending on the size of the organisation. overwhelming DigiTAG MEMBERS success DigiTAG members represent 40 organisations across 20 countries around the world. Key stakeholders in the broadcast industry are actively engaged in DigiTAG, including broadcasters, professional and consumer equipment manufacturers, broadcast network operators, conditional-access (CA) system providers, digital television test laboratories, broadcast regulators and frequency spectrum administrations.
Status of digital terrestrial television & the future threat to terrestrial broadcast spectrum The DTT platform has been an overwhelming success. Over 50% of European households rely on the terrestrial platform for their primary television services. There are more than 750 television channels and over 200 million DTT enabled receivers have been sold. Viewers can access more television channels, high-definition TV, interactive services combining content from broadcast and broadband platforms, as well as mobile television. DTT is the fastest growing digital platform offering both public and commercial broadcast services. Analogue switch-off has already been completed in most of Europe and North America and nearly all countries are expected to switch to digital by 2020. But these achievements are under threat as governments prepare to offer terrestrial broadcast spectrum mobile broadband services. Current discussions to allocate frequencies for mobile services will impede the future evolution of the DTT and other digital terrestrial platforms. DigiTAG is the platform bringing together all stakeholders to protect terrestrial Broadcast spectrum for broadcasters.
Protecting Broadcast Spectrum The demand for access to frequencies in UHF frequency bands is high. While traditionally reserved for broadcast services, the allocation of these frequencies is being re-considered to allow for the introduction of new services such as wireless broadband. DigiTAG is working to ensure that the impact of such changes in frequency allocations is better understood. Together, members coordinate and align their views on spectrum issues and provide recommendation guidelines on key network planning issues such as interference, protection ratios and single-frequency networks (SFNs). The DigiTAG Spectrum and Planning Group is tasked with implementing the DigiTAG strategy for ensuring that UHF spectrum continues to provide quality terrestrial television services. It coordinates work with other international organisations including the Association of Commercial Television (ACT), Broadcast Networks Europe (BNE), Digital Europe, and European Broadcasting Union (EBU), monitors and provides input into the relevant international and regional organisations such as the ITU and RSPP, and shares DigiTAG study results and guidelines with key decision-makers. Key work areas Co-existence between DTT and mobile services Future and converged networks Impact of network changes on legacy receivers White spaces LTE interference Preparation for World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) New Market Development Worldwide DigiTAG actively monitors national DTT developments. Members can learn about the status of current and planned DTT activities and gain access into new markets. The Market Development Group liaises with key contacts in national markets to learn more about national DTT activities and future plans. Support is provided to national markets through best-practice guidelines and information sharing on successful DTT migration plans. This Group gathers current DTT receiver requirements and promotes regional harmonisation. Key activities DTT market database Workshops and seminars Country-specific presentations and reports
Harmonising Products & Services Following the migration from analogue to digital technology, some national operators have begun a second migration towards next generation DTT technology to allow for the launch of new services such as HDTV, HbbTV, and mobile television. Members have the opportunity to learn about new technologies under discussion by national DTT platform operators and can help guide national implementation. The Product and Service Development Group tracks new technologies that support the evolution of the DTT platform. It provides guidelines for the harmonised adoption of new technologies and services, impact analysis of technical developments, and promotes best practices. Key work areas Dynamic broadcasting Integrated television and converged systems DVB-T2 Interactivity (HbbTV, MHP, MHEG) CI Plus raising awareness Promoting Digital TV Join us in raising awareness about the importance of digital terrestrial television and help create momentum for its future development. Decision-makers, especially national regulators, must clearly understand the economic, technical and social benefits provided by the DTT platform. DigiTAG promotes and shares DTT best practices and encourages harmonisation and interoperability between service providers.
latest developments
Digitag Networking DigiTAG members meet throughout the year at workshops, seminars, DigiTAG meetings and industry events. DigiTAG organises workshops and seminars addressing specific topics, recently these have been held in Moscow, Vienna, and Bucharest. Seminars in Geneva are organised to provide an overview of hot topics affecting the DTT market. Each year, the Steering Board organises four all members meetings to discuss work items, priorities and the latest developments in national DTT markets. DigiTAG working groups also convene on a regular or ad-hoc basis. DigiTAG cooperates closely with other industry groups including DVB, EBU, and BNE sharing information and and jointly attending important meetings whilst representatives from these groups attend important DigiTAG events. DigiTAG members are invited to participate in all DigiTAG meetings. Participants at DigiTAG events include broadcasters, broadcast network operators, regulators, and manufacturers. Digitag Information & Education Providing information on key DTT developments around the world has been a priority for DigiTAG members. This information covers a wide range of topics, from country specific digital switchover activities to the overview of new technologies such as DVB-T2, DVB-T2 Lite and HbbTV, as well as the outcome of international conferences such as the recent WRC-12. DigiTAG has also commissioned reports on behalf of its members on such topics as the economic impact of DTT in Europe, the evolution of terrestrial networks, HDTV in Europe, and mobile broadcasting. Available information Website portal Web letters with the latest country and technology updates Guidelines and Recommendations on topics such as HbbTV, LTE interference and the digital dividend Handbooks on topics ranging from DVB-T2, analogue switch-off and System Software Updates (SSU) In addition, members can access the members-only section of the DigiTAG website which provides such information as the DTT market database, workshop reports and presentations, the membership directory, and all meeting documentation.
Protecting Broadcast Spectrum Education Networking Harmonising Products New Market Development & Services Information Promotion www.digitag.org To Join DigiTAG please contact: L Ancienne-Route 17A CH - 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex, Geneva, Switzerland Tel: +41 22 717 2735 Fax: +41 22 747 4735 Email: projectoffice@digitag.org