Digital Broadcasting in Slovenia - Implementation of spectrum planning policy on regional scale

In the following paper the perspectives of spatial development of digital broadcasting in Slovenia will be presented. Digital broadcasting will be considered in two main streams – digital audio broadcasting and digital video broadcasting, both in the terrestrial mode. In the field of digital radio, T-DAB frequency block allotments were already coordinated at the Wiesbaden planning conference in 1995. The analyses of the spatial coverage of allocated frequency blocks will indicate variety of problems raised in this matter. Meanwhile, the digital terrestrial video broadcasting (DVB-T) service is available in Slovenia in the test mode operation on channel 37. Present European DVB-T networks are operating using the channels coordinated in Stockholm 1961 and revised in Chester 1997. The new spectrum planning conference dealing with the frequency spectrum for digital terrestrial video broadcasting is schedulled on 2005. Planning considerations of the DVB-T spectrum are even more complex than those of the spectrum planning processes for digital radio. Some new issues such as availability of new services, portability and interactivity will be indicated. 1. T-DAB DEVELOPMENT On a European scale the T-DAB (Terrestrial Digital Audio Broadcsting) development is undoubtedly in a crisis. We are dealing with a system which, in spite of its technical excellence, has not come to life. This is primarily due to the fact that there has not been enough frequency space for the introduction of new technology. The first priority of introducing the digital radio only two frequency ranges available, i. e. Band III (220 MHz) and L Band (1.5 Ghz). The L band is more suitable for local radio networks. Only the French decided to utilize this band as the first priority, while the other European countries started introducing T-DAB networks in Band III, which is nowadays used for the distribution of TV programmes. As a result only one TV channel (Channel 12) is available in the introductory period, which may host four T-DAB multiplexes. This frequency band is mostly planned for the national coverage in SFN mode, and the L range in most European countries is reserved for local coverage. In 1995, at the Planning Conference in Wiesbaden Europe gained its first plan of introducing the T-DAB. 1.1 Difficulties of T-DAB Introduction in Europe With the introduction of the T-DAB it obviously seems that not all conditions were present, necessary for a successful adoption of a new system. Particularly important is the content and the economics of it all, which – in addition to the advanced technology – represent a firm basis for the implementation of the new system. Maybe too much attention has been paid to the technology. Technically this is undoubtedly an extraordinarily perfected system. It eliminates the weaknesses of FM radio, which was never designed to be used in a car. Along with the expansion of the automobile industry the radio receiver appeared as a standard equipment item. The difficulties, typical of the reception of the analogue FM signal in a vehicle were impossible to eliminate, as this is a question of physical laws, which was impossible to compensate in the analogue system. In the first place there is the Doppler effect and the phenomenon of delayed reflected radio waves – the so-called multipath effect. The above-mentioned phenomena are the main hindrances to undisturbed reception of FM radio signal. The same physical laws, which apply to the mobile communication channel, have been turned by the new digital system T-DAB into its own benefit. In this way the multitude of reflected waves even contributes to a better reception, and simultaneously also enables the introduction of the concept of the so-called SFN networks, which substantially enhance spectral efficiency. Yet, as mentioned before, in addition to technical quality DAB system lacked a few conditions, compulsory for the successful implementation of the new technology. The greatest hindrance is a lack of a necessary radio frequency spectrum. This was the reason why it was not possible to locate in the new system all radio stations, which are nowadays present in the analogue system. Here it has to be added that – owing to the same reason – it was also not possible to add new services or programmes, which would provide the system with a more attractive image. This is a very important factor, which influences the user, when he decides about purchasing a new radio receiver. Prior to the decision of purchasing a new receiver, which – by the way – still costs a lot, one has to answer a few questions. Why replace one's old FM receiver, for which we can state, that it functions perfectly. Users do not complain about technical quality of the reception and sound itself. While deciding upon an investment in a new receiver, the main role is played by new programmes and services. The above-mentioned difficulties which accompany the introduction of T-DAB have the greatest impact on the contents itself. The user may be attracted by new contents and new services, added to the existing ones. New services are necessary conditions for the creation of a new value, which may represent an additional economic impulse with a more highly placed value towards the digital radio. 1.2 Difficulties in Slovenia We can say that – on a European scale – the introduction of digital radio (T-DAB) is in a crisis. This statement also applies to Slovenia, as we have not come beyond the installation of a test transmitter at the broadcast transmitting centre of Krvavec, which presently no longer functions. Generally, we can state that with the introduction of T-DAB most difficulties arise in the spectrum area. Although at the Wiesbaden Conference [1, 2] a frequency alltoment plan was adopted for the start-up of digital radio networks, it does not provide sufficient quantity of frequency spectrum for the operating national, regional, and local radio programmes. With this statement we estimate that, even in the case when all radio programmes had enough space within the new system, this still would