DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION BROADCASTING …



2 Brazil

2.1 National Policies

The Brazilian digital television system Project (SBTVD) was established with the purpose of analyzing exploration and deployment alternatives that can be fruitful for the advent of digital terrestrial TV (DTT) in Brazil. The government decided that the evolution of analogue television into the digital system should be developed by aiming at real benefits for the society. Among these benefits, it is possible to highlight the promotion of social inclusion, the creation of a widespread remote teaching network, and a gradual transition, compatible with users' purchasing power. Following that, it was established a formal structure of decision and execution concerning the necessary actions for obtaining the reference model of the DTT system.

The first phase in the deployment of the DTT system in Brazil was accomplished in the first half of the year 2005[1], reaching the following objectives:

– define a reference model;

– propose the digital television standard to be adopted;

– propose the digital television service development model;

– propose timeframe and model for the transition from analogue to digital system.

The second phase carried on the development of technologies and services considered significant to be selected within the reference model. It depended mostly on the definitions in the standard and on the business model chosen in the first phase. In the second phase, among other initiatives, the regulation framework will have to be adapted.

Finally, the third phase encompassed the deployment of technologies and services developed. Brazilian Government has promoted the adoption of a DTT system that respects the social particularities and conditions, providing the opportunity to develop regional solutions, which are mostly suitable, overcoming the urgency of the decision.

After thorough testing and careful studies, the Brazilian Government adopted on June 2006[2] the ISDB-T standard for digital television, incorporating technological innovations that are deemed relevant by the Brazilian Government and whose technical specifications should facilitate the following:

– high-definition digital transmission (HDTV) and standard-definition digital transmission (SDTV);

– simultaneous digital transmission for fixed, mobile, and portable reception;

– interactivity.

Since then, the deployment of DTT transmissions in Brazil is being successfully implemented. In the beginning of the process, stimulated by the increasing interest in the new technology, many broadcasters have invested earlier than required by law and have started digital transmissions sooner than expected. However, considering the high diversity of economic distribution and different stages of DTV implementation in Brazilian territory, it was decided to review the deadline for analog transmissions, first planned for July 2016.

Hence, in 2013, the Brazilian administration initiated the planning process to accelerate the transition and to properly plan the actions that would have to be undertaken by all stakeholders to shutdown the analog transmissions. The Ministry of Communications, after discussions with Anatel and experts of the broadcasting sector, established in 2014 a new switch-off plan, starting in 2015 and gradually being implemented until November 2018[3], instead of a “one shot” method, as planned before.

The pilot analog shutdown will take place in Rio Verde, a small city in the state of Goiás, in November 2015. In April 2016, Brasilia will be the first big city to have the analog switch-off. After that, the process will be implemented in all metropolitan zones of Brazil’s state capitals until 2018. In 25th November 2018, all the remaining cities will shutdown their analog service, completing the switchover in Brazil. Figure 35 details the time schedule for the transition.

FIGURE 35

Digital switchover in Brazil

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In November 2014, the Ministry of Communications defined the conditions by which viewers of analog TV should be warned of the switch off by the broadcasters. The communication of the deadline and the respective digital channel number starts 360 days before the shutdown, whereas the countdown begins 60 days prior to that date. It is a mandatory condition that 93% of the population that access the free open terrestrial TV service should be able to receive the digital signal before the analog shutdown is allowed.

2.2 Spectrum usage

The radio spectrum is an important and highly valuable resource that must be adequately managed to meet the established policies. To achieve this objective, regarding the TV broadcasting service, ANATEL started drawing up a channel assignment plan in Brazil before the adoption of the digital standard, to guarantee simultaneous compliance with the technical requirements of the three digital television systems that were under analysis. This work took into consideration the following directives:

− the digital television channels would use the bands of VHF-H (7 to 13) and, preferably, the UHF band (14 to 59[4]), keeping the service area equivalent to that of the current analogue service;

− during the analogue to digital transition phase, the programming of the stations shall be transmitted simultaneously by the analogue and digital channels. After that phase, analogue transmissions would be interrupted remaining only digital transmissions. − for each analogue channel considered, a digital channel shall be assigned during the analogue-to-digital transition period, set for 10 years, observing the current coverage of the analogue signal;

− for the adequate delivery of digital television service in Brazil without the interruption of analogue signal transmission, in order to facilitate the transition to digital technology, a 6 MHz channel shall be allocated;

− the technical criteria adopted must meet the protection and interference requirements of the three digital television systems, always bearing in mind the worst case, regarding this aspect.

Guided by these principles, ANATEL, which is responsible for drawing up and maintaining the Basic Channel Assignment Plans, published the first Basic Digital Television Channel Assignment Plan (Plano Básico de Distribuição de Canais de Televisão Digital – PBTVD). With 1,893 channels included, the above-mentioned Basic Plan was comprised of a universe of 296 Brazilian localities, including those which at that time had at least one operating broadcasting television generator station and, in addition, those which, although having only television translator stations, had a population of over 100,000 inhabitants.

The adoption of the ISDB-T standard made possible to adjust the PBTVD to the modulation characteristics inherent to the system. In 2006, ANATEL started up this adjustment to that new reality basically excluding the 91 channels envisaged for a possible choice of a system that would not permit the use of single frequency network (SFN), and adjusting the power of the digital channels to match the coverage area of analogue channels, once the drafting of the PBTVD had considered the worst protection and interference case, which led to higher power levels than needed and the alteration of the related installation points to meet co-location requirements.

This task was carried out by region, starting with the regions in Brazil that account for the highest economic output and occupy most of the radioelectric spectrum, without neglecting however the regions of higher demographic density, which shall facilitate the implementation of digital television in Brazil.

At the end of 2012, Anatel completed its planning phase for digital television channels, guaranteeing the possibility of simulcasting for all primary analog transmitters up to the date of the analog switch-off, initially scheduled for June 2016. VHF (174 to 216 MHz) and UHF (470 to 806 MHz) bands were used for this purpose.

In February 2013, the Ministry of Communications established the directives for accelerating access to the Brazilian Digital Terrestrial Television System (SBTVD) and for the expansion of spectrum availability to meet the objectives of the National Broadband Program (PNBL), further instructing ANATEL to look into the possibility of allocating the 700 MHz (698 to 806 MHz) band to broadband mobile services[5]. Later that year, the Brazilian Government published a Decree which established that the analog blackout will begin in 2015 and end in 2018, according to the schedule outlined by the Ministry of Communications, as mentioned before[6].

During the same year, once public policies had been defined for the 700 MHz band and for the analog switch-off, ANATEL began developing studies for refarming television channels for the purposes of releasing channels 52 to 69. In the regions where UHF spectrum is more densely occupied it will be necessary to contemplate the analog switch-off in order to successfully release the band. This is the case of 1096 of the country’s 5565 municipalities, accounting for approximately 43% of the population. In the remaining municipalities it was possible to restack all analog and digital channels, and to ensure the release of 700 MHz. In summary, it will be necessary to change the frequency of approximately 1000 TV channels. This process will be carried out during the switchover phase, and the 700 MHz band will be released gradually. Figure 36 details the amount of channels that were considered in the refarming process.

FIGURE 36

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To ensure the implementation of all changes necessary for releasing the 700 MHz band, the Auction for IMT Services, that was carried out by Anatel in September 2014, included the obligation that winning bidders defrays the migration of TV channels down to band between TV channels 7 to 51. It was established that 36% of the amount collected would be used to reimburse all broadcasters that are operating in 700 MHz band. Four companies won spectrum licenses in the auction, raising about R$ 10 billion Brazilian reais in revenue (about $3,8 billion American dollars).

Furthermore, a specific entity, to be established by the auction winners, will be responsible to manage the amount raised by the auction for restacking digital TV services. The entity will also carry actions to ensure the completion of the switchover to digital TV and apply methodologies to avoid interference between the IMT services and broadcasting services in UHF band.

2.3 Current situation on DTT implementation

On December 2nd, 2007, the first official implementations of the Brazilian DTT system began commercial operations in the city of São Paulo and, by mid-2008, there were already 10 commercial broadcasters operating in this city. Although tests were already being conducted since May 2007, the government chose the December date as the official date of the system launch.

Nowadays, there are several different DTT receivers available in the market, with functionalities and designs aimed to different economic segments and user preferences, and which since mid-2010 also includes interactivity. Among those models, there could be found portable reception devices (1-Seg), including portable TVs, computer USB tuners and cell phones. For fixed reception, consumers could choose between standard definition and high definition devices, although all broadcasters have been transmitting in high definition (1080i). All interactivity products are branded with the DTVi logo.

Since the beginning of transmissions, market prices for DTT receivers have been falling gradually, as the market moves from the early adopters to the ordinary consumers. That expected movement has been regarded by broadcasters and industry as proof of the successful introduction of DTT.

The receiver industry had already provided many solutions for the high-end DTT market, such as full-HD displays with integrated digital tuners. Brazilian Government provides tax incentives for the production of television set only if LCDs and Plasma with display sizes for at least 42 inches have built in receivers. These incentives exemption have been extended to all display sizes since January 2011[7].

Not only the availability of products contributed to the system successful deployment but also the existence of the Forum of Brazil’s terrestrial digital TV broadcasting system, formally instated in December 2006. The Forum is a non-profit entity, whose main objectives are to support and foster the development and implementation of the best practices for the success of digital television broadcasting in Brazil. Its membership is composed mainly of participants from the broadcasting, reception-and-transmission-equipment-manufacturing, and software industries.

The Forum’s mission is to help and encourage the installation or improvement of the digital sound and image transmission and receiving system in Brazil, promoting standards whose qualities meet the demands of the users.

The purpose of this Forum is to propose voluntary or mandatory technical norms, standards, and regulations for Brazil’s terrestrial digital television broadcasting system, and, in addition, to foster and promote representation, relations, and integration with other national and international institutions.

2.4 New services offered by DTT

The Brazilian digital transmission system will provide new capabilities to serve viewers, such as high definition and standard resolution pictures, data delivery, interactive communication, portable and mobile services, with the required technical flexibility to better serve the viewers.

The possibility of signal transmission through a single channel for fixed (HDTV), mobile (SDTV) and portable reception (1-Seg), only possible on the ISDB-T system, encourages the relationship between viewers and the content provided. Furthermore, the system enables to increase the signal penetration to meet the needs of a dynamic population, maintaining the broadcasting service features of providing information, education and entertainment, which distinguishes it from others services.

Brazilian DTV broadcasting system enables a limitless variety of new information services, including interactive services. A great deal of interactivity in such applications can be provided simply by downloading substantial information from which viewers can choose. Interactivity can be increased further through the use of a return channel through which viewers can request specific content from the broadcaster. Brazilian system comprises multiple technologies to implement the return channel, including, but not limited to, fixed and mobile networks, broadband connections or even a terrestrial return channel if additional spectrum is available.

New services under deployment in the Brazilian market, including interactive services, represents an important opportunity to promote social inclusion, i.e. to provide education, health care, and other important social services to viewers of all socio-economic segments, including citizens who may never own a personal computer.

There are a wide range of opportunities in the digital transition and in the digital system to be further explored:

– Signal coverage in all terrain types: provision of better services in their coverage areas, improving the quality of their service to the local population.

– Signal robustness and performance: signal robustness lowers acquisition and operation costs for all broadcasters, allowing resources to be allocated to content production and providing.

– Tolerance to signal interference: ISDB-T offers time interleaving techniques, which provide powerful channel coding for mobile reception in which variations in field are inevitable.

– Audio and video quality in HDTV services: use of MPEG-4 audio and video coding for better quality. Viewers may benefit from enhanced image, sharper sound and exciting new applications.

– Balance between costs and technical performance: MPEG-4, which is optional in the system, is currently the most powerful and state-of-the-art audio and video coding standard. Its design provides valuable future proof balance between coding efficiency, implementation complexity and cost, based on the current state of VLSI design technology.

– Deliver of programs and applications to portable devices: Direct service from broadcasters to portable and hand-held devices of audio, video and applications will create new business models and increase audiences, reaching viewers on the move everywhere.

– One channel for all services: All types of services, either HDTV, SDTV or to portable devices (1-Seg) are transmitted using only one channel, rendering a better and more efficient use of the spectrum.

– Flexibility between signal coverage and bandwidth: The system is configurable in such a way that broadcasters may trade bit rate capacity against signal coverage to all services individually, either for stationary, mobile or portable reception.

– Signal coverage and quality of service (QoS): The system ensures a more efficient and cost-effective use of the spectrum when compared to analogue transmissions. All versions of the specification guarantee the use of advances such as SFN (single frequency network), on-channel repeaters and several other techniques for optimizing coverage and filling shadow areas.

– Flexible business models: Flexibility needed to offer the adequate blend of content that is most appealing to local audiences. HDTV, multiple SDTV services, mobile and portable services, plus a limitless variety of data services can be all harmonized under the same technical and regulatory umbrella.

– Mobile and portable services: The digital television system platform was developed to maximize its unique capacity for offering mobile and portable services, which has been actively developed for portable and mobile applications.

– New services: It renders an alternative to in-house wireless solutions as a means of overcoming the problem of second and third television sets in the home and providing new broadcast entertainment and information services to people on the move.

– Social inclusion and new audiences: ISDB-T is capable of providing increased access to information services to viewers of all socio-economic segments at once. Reaching the poorer segments of society is particularly relevant since in many countries a vast majority of the population relies on free-to-air television as the only means of access to information, government services and entertainment.

The digital television implementation is no longer a technical challenge in Brazil but rather an opportunity to provide access to digital technology to all socio-economic segments of society. Flexible business models, mobile and portable reception and attractive applications to viewers are key to any digital television platform future viability.

(Detailed technical information can be found at )

2.5 Brazilian digital terrestrial television standards

|Subject |ABNT NBR[8] |Parts |Portuguese |English |Spanish |

|Transmission |15601 |Part 1 |Updated on 07/04/2008 |Updated on 01/12/2007 |Updated on 01/12/2007 |

|Coding |15602 |Part 1 |Updated on 07/04/2008 |Updated on 01/12/2007 |Updated on 01/12/2007 |

| | |Part 2 |Updated on 07/04/2008 |Updated on 01/12/2007 |Updated on 08/01/2010 |

| | |Part 3 |Updated on 07/04/2008 |Updated on 01/12/2007 |Updated on 01/12/2007 |

|Multiplexing |15603 |Part 1 |Updated on 22/08/2008 |Updated on 22/08/2008 |Updated on 01/12/2007 |

| | |Part 2 |Updated on 21/09/2009 |Updated on 21/09/2009 |Updated on 21/09/2009 |

| | |Part 3 |Updated on 02/09/2009 |Updated on 02/09/2009 |Updated on 02/09/2009 |

|Receivers |15604 |Part 1 |Updated on 07/04/2008 |Updated on 01/12/2007 |Updated on 01/12/2007 |

|Security |15605 |Part 1 |Updated on 16/07/2009 |Updated on 16/07/2009 |Updated on 16/07/2009 |

|Middleware |15606 |Part 1 |Updated on 27/03/2013 |Updated on 27/03/2013 |Updated on 27/03/2013 |

| | |Part 2 |Updated on 27/05/2011 |Updated on 27/05/2011 |Updated on 27/05/2011 |

| | |Part 3 |Updated on 23/03/2012 |Updated on 23/03/2012 |Updated on 23/13/2012 |

| | |Part 4 |Updated on 30/10/2012 |Updated on 30/10/2012 |Updated on 30/10/2012 |

| | |Part 5 |Updated on 19/04/2011 |Updated on 19/04/2011 |Updated on 19/04/2011 |

| | |Part 6 |Updated on 19/07/2010 |Updated on 16/07/2010 |Soon |

| | |Part 7 |Updated on 11/04/2013 |Updated on 11/04/2013 |Updated on 11/04/2013 |

| | |Part 8 |Updated on 25/10/2011 |Updated on 14/10/2011 |Updated on 14/10/2011 |

| | |Part 9 |Updated on 16/01/2012 |Updated on 16/01/2012 |Updated on 16/01/2012 |

|Interactivity Channel |15607 |Part 1 |Updated on 06/07/2011 |Updated on 06/07/2011 |Updated on 06/07/2011 |

|Operation Guide |15608 |Part 1 |Updated on 22/08/2008 |Updated on 22/08/2008 |Updated on 22/09/2008 |

| | |Part 2 |Updated on 02/06/2010 |Updated on 21/06/2010 |Updated on 21/06/2010 |

| | |Part 3 |Updated on 28/01/2011 |Updated on 28/01/2011 |Updated on 28/01/2011 |

|Accessibility |15610 |Part 1 | Updated on 06/12/2011 | Updated on 06/12/2011 | Updated on 6/12/02011 |

| | |Part 2 | Updated on 30/07/2012 | Updated on 30/07/2012 | Updated on 30/07/2012 |

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[1] Decree nº 4901, of November 2003:

[2] Decree nº 5820, of June 2006:

[3] Available at {

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[4] In 2009, the UHF band from channels 60 to 69 was also considered for public broadcasting in Brazil.

[5] Portaria No. 14 of February 6th, 2013, available at

[6] Decree No. 8,061, available at

[7] Interministerial Ordinance No. 224, October 3rd, 2012, available at

[8] Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT) is the Brazilian Standardization Forum.

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