Move to terrestrial digital TV 'the right one'
As the launch of digital terrestrial TV draws near, Peter Walop, an independent consultant at Convergence Consulting Co and co-author of the International Telecommunication Union's guidelines for the transition from analog to digital broadcasting, explai
Half of the 22 million households in Thailand are now enjoying free analog television and extra services via satellite TV. This type of penetration continues to rise. Local satellite-TV operators and distributors of satellite TV sets will not be happy with the introduction of digital terrestrial TV by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission. So why do we need to migrate to digital?
Digital terrestrial TV broadcasting will offer better picture quality, high-definition services, mobile TV and much more, compared with what is offered in analog platforms. I understand that the launch of the digital terrestrial TV broadcasting service will reduce the market for their set-top boxes, though they can offer new boxes that can work with the DVB-S2 [digital video broadcasting-satellite-second generation] system.
The government, however, has a responsibility to promote the terrestrial TV platform.
Why should the government promote digital terrestrial TV over satellite TV?
A key reason is that it is more practical for the regulator to manage digital terrestrial TV broadcasters than satellite TV operators. Adding to that, there are some cases in Europe in which some satellite TV providers escaped the regulations by going abroad. The national regulator in such cases does not have the right to control those TV operators any more. So it is difficult to manage what will happen in those satellite TV channels.
The regulators tend to like a good, strong terrestrial platform because they can regulate it, not only the content but also frequency rights.
However, Thailand seems to be lucky to have its own satellite [company], Thaicom, based on Thai soil. It is still manageable. But in the long term, the regulator will eventually lose control of this.
Another reason is that digital terrestrial TV offers the lowest costs to provide good service. The viewer can watch free-TV programmes anywhere via portable receptors. If you want to watch them via satellite receivers, you must invest in an immovable satellite dish.
Digital terrestrial TV broadcasting has already been in many countries for more than a decade. Do you think the introduction of digital TV in Thailand is too late?
No, I don’t think so. But the Kingdom is in a hurry because of satellite-TV adoption. I think it is the right moment in line with the global broadcasting industry in starting DVB-T2 technology. So it is good that the country has decided to move from analog to digital terrestrial TV.
The NBTC expects the migration to digital terrestrial TV may take about six to seven years. With your 18 years’ experience in the broadcasting and telecommunications industry, what are key factors that could make such a transition shorter?
Well, the regulator should provide good information to people that makes them aware that digital television is coming. We have to tell them what kind of extra benefits they can get, such as good picture quality and good service.
Apart from good communication, set-top-box distribution and logistics must be put in place as people want to get a set-top box to plug into an analog TV set or to buy a new integrated digital TV, or IDTV, set to get programmes on the digital network. That should be available, particularly in rural areas, once the digital TV network arrives.
Meanwhile, if the regulator offers a voucher system to help households get digital TV receivers, it must ensure the vouchers are available for every household.
