UK OTA DTV and Mobile Broadband

[K. B.]

<http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk/news/20120403-ofcom-may-cut-digital-tv-make-space-4g-mobile-broadband>

Ofcom is investigating the long-term future of mobile
broadband in the UK, announcing a strategy which may result
in the number of digital freeview channels being cut in
half.

~~~

Kirk Bayne
alt.video.digital-tv Home Page
<http://avdtv.tripod.com/avdtv.htm>

[J G Miller]

On Wednesday, April 4th, 2012, at 02:36:56h -0500, K. B. wrote:

> Ofcom is investigating the long-term future of mobile
> broadband in the UK, announcing a strategy which may result
> in the number of digital freeview channels being cut in
> half.

Your statement needs clarification because of what some
people perceive as "channels".

Some people will incorrectly interpret your statement as meaning
that the number of TV stations available on freeview will be halved.

This is not the case.

The proposal would result in the number of UHF channels being available
on which to broadcast the Freeview multiplexes will be reduced.

The number of TV stations will remain the same (according to what
the multiplex operators cram in by ever reducing picture quality)
but the geographical coverage will be reduced by a few percent
due to channel shuffling and potential conflicts resulting in
some very localized relays (which with the switch from analog
to digital are not as essential as they once were) being closed down.

[Rick]

"J G Miller" <mil...@yoyo.ORG> wrote in message
news:jlh5ev$vsv$1...@dont-email.me...

Or simply double the capacity of the existing network by gravitating from
DVB-T to DVB-T2

[J G Miller]

On Wednesday, April 4th, 2012, at 11:06:29h +0100, Rick suggested:

> Or simply double the capacity of the existing network by gravitating
> from DVB-T to DVB-T2

Currently Freeview consists of six multiplexes (three so called PSB,
and three commercial) -- five are transmitted as DVB-t/MPEG-2 and one
as DVB-t2/MPEG-4 which carried BBC One HD, ITV-1/stv/(and soon utv) HD,
Channel 4 / Sianel 4 Clirlun, and BBC HD (all programs are HD, culled
from schedules of BBC 1, 2, 3, and 4).

Converting all multiplexes to DVB-t2/MPEG-4 is without doubt the
long term goal because it means increased profits for the multiplex
broadcaster Arqiva and more licence fees for Ofcon.

In view of the fact that analog switch off is not yet complete in the
UKofGB&NI, with Greater London only just changing over at the present
time, and that people are resentful of having to buy converter boxes
or new TVs, most of which are not DVB-t2/MPEG-4 capable, the changeover
will not happen for probably a minimum of 3-4 years.