Augusta House, Fourways Golf Park, Roos Street, Fourways Private Bag X06, Honeydew, 2040 Tel: +27 11 691 7000 Attention: Mr Manyaapelo Richard Makgotlho 12 October 2012 Independent Communications Authority of South Africa 164 Katherine Street Sandton 2146 Per email: rmakgotlho@icasa.org.za Dear Mr. Makgotlho RE: DRAFT FREQUENCY MIGRATION REGULATION AND FREQUENCY MIGRATION PLAN 1.1 Sentech thanks the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa ( Authority ) for the opportunity to make a submission on the Draft Frequency Migration Regulation and Frequency Migration Plan as published under Notice 606 Government Gazette 35598 as published on 17 August 2012. 1.2 Sentech further indicates its willingness to participate in any hearings that the regulator may hold on matters raised in the Draft Frequency Migration Regulation and Frequency Migration Plan. 1.3 Please contact the author should the Authority require further clarifications; email: tokot@sentech.co.za Tel: (011) 691 7220, Fax: (011) 691 7111 Yours Sincerely Specialist: Technical Regulatory Sentech SoC Ltd Sentech SOC Ltd Reg no: 1990/001791/06 Directors Mr T Mongake (Chairperson) Dr S J Mohapi (CEO) Mr K Matabane (COO) Ms L T Khumalo Mr H M Dhlamini Mr P Mashile Ms S Rapeti Mr S Molala Mr S J Mjwara Ms Z D Hlatshwayo Company Secretary Ms M Chimombe (Acting)
SUBMISSION BY SENTECH SOC LIMITED ON THE DRAFT FREQUENCY MIGRATION REGULATION AND FREQUENCY MIGRATION PLAN PUBLISHED UNDER NOTICE 606 IN GOVERNMENT GAZETTE 35598 ON 17 AUGUST 2012 SUBMISSION DATE 12 OCTOBER 2012
1 Introduction... 3 2 Radio Frequency Migration Regulations... 4 2.1 Definitions... 4 2.2 Principles... 4 2.2.1 Section 3 of Principles... 4 2.3 Process for Radio Frequency Migration... 4 3 Radio Frequency Migration Plans... 4 3.1 Principle position... 4 3.2 Final Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan, 2008... 5 3.3 Revision of the Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan... 6 3.4 Studio transmission links (STLs)... 7 3.5 3600 4200 MHz band... 7 4 Annexure A: DTT assignments above 790 MHz... 9 5 Annexure B: DTT assignments between 694 and 790 MHz... 10 2
1 Introduction 1.1 Sentech thanks the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa ( Authority ) for the opportunity to make a submission on the Draft Frequency Migration Regulation and Frequency Migration Plan as published under Notice 606 Government Gazette 35598 as published on 17 August 2012. 1.2 Sentech further indicates its willingness to participate in any hearings that the regulator may hold on matters raised in the Draft Frequency Migration Regulation and Frequency Migration Plan. 1.3 All references made to broadcast services with regard to migration below 692 MHz, should be corrected to refer to 694 MHz, as the broadcasting channel 48 ends at 694 MHz. 1.4 Should the Authority go ahead with finalising the terrestrial broadcasting frequency plan, even though the Draft Policy Directions on Exploiting the Digital Dividend as published under Government Gazette No. 34848 is yet to be finalised, Sentech is of the view that the guard band between broadcast and IMT services must be accommodated above 694 MHz. 1.5 Sentech also believes that both the Draft Frequency Migration Regulation and Frequency Migration Plan should acknowledge and consider the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy, Final Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan of 2008 and the current draft DTT Migration Regulation process. 1.6 Sentech believes that the regulations should address the matter of compensation with regard to the migration of broadcast services to below 694 MHz band. 3
2 Radio Frequency Migration Regulations 2.1 Definitions The definition for WRC as stated in the Draft Radio Frequency Migration Regulation is incorrect. The correct definition is as following: World Radiocommunication Conference. 2.2 Principles 2.2.1 Section 3 of Principles Sentech seeks the Authority s guidance with regard to interpretation of this section especially where there might be a difference in allocation between the Radio Regulations and the SADC FAP. For example the 2008 edition of Radio Regulations have a secondary allocation for mobile services in the band 3600 4200 MHz while the SADC FAP has no mobile allocation in the same band. Taking the above into consideration what does the Authority mean by consistent? In cases where there are differences between the Radio Regulations and the SADC FAP, which of the two takes priority? Is this determination a regulatory competence or policy competence? 2.3 Process for Radio Frequency Migration In terms of section b and c, the comments in point 2.2.1 refers. 3 Radio Frequency Migration Plans In this section Sentech will limit its response on matters affecting its signal distribution services, namely; Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan; Revision of the Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan; Studio transmission links; and 3600 4200 MHz Band; 3.1 Principle position Sentech is troubled that both the Draft Frequency Migration Regulation and Frequency Migration Plan do not acknowledge the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy as amendment despite the fact that the policy provides the framework for migrating the country's broadcasting systems from analogue to digital and meeting the ITU resolution that all countries in Region 1 should complete their migration by 17 June 2015. 4
In its interpretation of the Policy, the Final Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan and the proposed draft DTT Migration Regulations, Sentech is of the view that DTT-to-DTT migration can only occur post analogue switch-off. The BDM Policy as amended and the draft DTT Migration Regulations both refer to date of June 2015 for a possible analogue switch off date. It is also important to note that there is no regulatory framework and policy directive for DTT-to-DTT migration. Consequently the 800 MHz digital dividend will not be available immediately at analogue switch-off. The migration of DTT services is determined mainly by the following; Revised ICASA Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan; Determining cost of the DTT-to-DTT migration; and And most important of all, determining the source of funding for the DTT-to-DTT migration. Sentech vehemently believes that it cannot nor should broadcasters be expected to fund the DTT-to-DTT migration. The availability of the digital dividend is dependent upon the above issues being resolved. 3.2 Final Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan, 2008 In terms of section 30(1) and 34 of the EC Act of 2005 ICASA published the Final Terrestrial Broadcast Frequency Plan of 2008 on 18 November 2009 as an annexure to the National Radio Frequency Plan. The frequency plan is intended to assist the roll-out plans of ECNS licensees providing terrestrial signal distribution. The frequency plan considered the following, inter alia; Introduction of new entrants; Digital migration requirements determined by the National Preparatory Task Team, in preparation for the RRC-06, versus spectrum availability; The frequency plan incorporated the following, inter alia; Two (2) national terrestrial fixed multiplexes; o Fixed reception height at 10m; o Coverage based on GE-06 technical specifications; 5
Two (2) metropolitan terrestrial mobile multiplexes o Coverage based on GE-06 technical specifications; The frequency plan did not incorporate the following; The effective radiated powers (ERPs) proposed in the final frequency plan do not allow for digital coverage that is equivalent to that currently provided by analogue services; o The frequency plan does not allow for the coverage requirements for multiplex one (1) as stated in the revised BDM Policy. Coverage requirements for self-help stations; Coverage requirements for low power stations; The early release of digital dividend, 790 862 MHz; o o The frequency plan has forty two (42) digital assignments above 790 MHz; The frequency plan did not cater for the migration of the following services; Self-help television; Low-power television; Digital assignments above 790 MHz; and Studio-transmitter-links (STLs) used mainly by Community Broadcasters. 3.3 Revision of the Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan The Radio Frequency Migration Plan incorrectly states that the 790 862 MHz band will be available by 2015. The Radio Frequency Migration Plan does not acknowledge that the draft DTT Migration Frequency Plan and the Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan does not allow for the migration of DTT services to below 790 MHz. The Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan has forty two (42) assignments above 790 MHz and one hundred and forty (142) assignments between 694 and 790 MHz as indicated in Annexure A and B. 6
The revision of the Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan needs to accommodate for the DTT-to-DTT migration as there is not existing framework allowing for the DTT-to-DTT migration. 3.4 Studio transmission links (STLs) Sentech does not agree with the Authority s proposal regarding STLs competing with other services for spectrum assignment in the allocated for fixed services. Sentech believes that since STLs serve mainly Community Broadcasters, there should be band/s allocation primary for STLs. The ICASA Draft Spectrum Assignment Plan for the combined licensing of the 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz Bands as published on 15 December 2011 in Government Gazette No. 34872 proposes the spectrum plan mobile services in the 800 MHz band. According to the draft document the frequency band 821 830.8 MHz will not be assigned as the proposed plan is a frequency duplex system. Sentech proposes that this un-assigned portion of the band be made available for STL deployment on a non-interference basis to the proposed mobile services.800 MHz Band. Sentech also proposes that the band 1479.5 1492 MHz be made available primarily for STL services. Majority of Community Broadcasters are dependent on STL services as a critical medium of delivering content to distribution sites. 3.5 3600 4200 MHz band The Sentech national distribution linking network is done via the satellite platform. The only terrestrial linking under distribution linking network is to the Sunnyside transmitter site. The satellite linking distribution network is split between C-band (Primary feed) and Ku-band (Secondary Feed). The Sentech distribution linking network is therefore specifically dependent on the favourable propagation properties of the C-band in ensuring the continued delivery of uninterrupted services on behalf of our clients. Sentech therefore does not support the Authority s proposal of the inclusion of broadband services in the 3600 3800 MHz band. Sentech is against sharing the 3600 3800 MHz band with broadband services and therefore urges the Authority not to amend this section of the National Radio Frequency Plan. 7
Even though Sentech makes use of the Ku-band for secondary feeds to its transmitter sites for purposes of redundancy, the Ku-band is still susceptible to rain fading. 3. CONCLUSION Sentech thanks the Authority for the opportunity to make a submission on the Draft Frequency Migration Regulation and Frequency Migration Plan. 8
4 Annexure A: DTT assignments above 790 MHz NO STATION NAME LONGITUDE LATITUDE CH FREQ MHz 1 ERMELO 029E59 57 26S30 35 61 794 2 SOMERSET EAST 025E34 41 32S42 45 61 794 3 DEWETSDORP 026E39 37 29S34 44 62 812 4 EAST LONDON 027E48 58 32S56 20 62 802 5 ELLIOT 027E51 57 31S10 36 62 802 6 GREYTOWN 030E32 10 29S00 46 62 802 7 GREYTOWN DORP 030E36 48 29S02 05 62 802 8 HOLY CROSS 029E38 25 31S07 56 62 802 9 MBUZINI 031E54 53 25S52 26 62 802 10 MOGWASE 027E16 00 25S10 26 62 802 11 MOLEMA 030E02 40 23S18 38 62 802 12 MOUNT AYLIFF 029E23 41 30S50 11 62 802 13 SENEKAL 027E30 26 28S15 19 62 738 14 TZANEEN 030E00 17 23S47 06 62 802 15 VOLKSRUST 029E53 15 27S18 33 62 802 16 FRANSCHHOEK 019E04 26 33S54 26 63 810 17 ITSOSENG 025E55 18 26S04 30 63 810 18 MADIBOGO 025E15 14 26S27 28 63 810 19 NQUTU 030E40 42 28S15 43 63 810 20 THABA NCHU 026E45 45 29S15 24 63 810 21 CAROLINA 030E37 57 26S10 37 64 818 22 DONNYBROOK 029E51 19 29S54 56 64 818 23 GEORGE 022E27 04 33S55 38 64 818 24 HOLY CROSS 029E38 25 31S07 56 64 818 25 MOUNT AYLIFF 029E23 41 30S50 11 64 818 26 PANKOP 028E24 16 25S09 44 64 818 27 SUPINGSTAD 026E01 36 24S47 20 64 818 28 PILANESBERG 027E05 35 25S21 07 65 826 29 SOMERSET EAST 025E34 41 32S42 45 65 826 30 VILLIERSDORP 019E30 25 33S58 09 65 826 31 CAROLINA 030E37 57 26S10 37 66 834 32 DEWETSDORP 026E39 37 29S34 44 66 844 33 ELLIOT 027E51 57 31S10 36 66 834 34 MBUZINI 031E54 53 25S52 26 66 834 35 MOGWASE 027E16 00 25S10 26 66 834 36 FRANSCHHOEK 019E04 26 33S54 26 67 842 37 MOOI RIVER 029E52 04 29S11 07 67 842 38 THABA NCHU 026E45 45 29S15 24 67 842 39 DONNYBROOK 029E51 19 29S54 56 68 850 40 GEORGE 022E27 04 33S55 38 68 850 41 PANKOP 028E24 16 25S09 44 68 850 42 SUPINGSTAD 026E01 36 24S47 20 68 850 9
5 Annexure B: DTT assignments between 694 and 790 MHz NO STATION NAME LONGITUDE LATITUDE CH FREQ MHz 1 FICKSBURG TOWN 027E51 27 28S52 36 49 698 2 KING WILLIAMS TOWN 027E15 36 32S40 44 49 698 3 PORT ELIZABETH 025E26 29 33S56 10 49 698 4 PORT ELIZABETH CITY 025E35 31 33S55 28 49 698 5 STERKSPRUIT 027E16 14 30S41 44 49 698 6 WINDYBRIDGE 027E14 05 32S45 10 49 698 7 AMANDA GLEN 018E40 33 33S51 18 50 706 8 AURORA 018E38 29 33S49 39 50 706 9 CAPE TOWN 018E23 15 34S03 15 50 706 10 CLIFTON 018E22 37 33S56 30 50 706 11 DURBAN 030E43 00 29S46 11 50 706 12 DURBAN NORTH 031E02 24 29S45 52 50 706 13 FISHOEK 018E26 12 34S08 59 50 706 14 GRABOUW 018E58 03 34S06 05 50 706 15 GRAHAMSTOWN 026E42 31 33S17 15 50 706 16 HEIDELBERG 028E20 53 26S29 19 50 706 17 HOUT BAY 018E20 56 34S00 44 50 706 18 HOWICK 030E13 52 29S30 13 50 706 19 LOUWSBURG 031E16 32 27S33 44 50 706 20 MATATIELE 028E49 19 30S23 45 50 706 21 OVERPORT 030E59 54 29S50 02 50 706 22 PAARL 018E56 24 33S42 53 50 706 23 PIETERMARITZBURG 030E19 49 29S34 47 50 706 24 SEA POINT 018E23 51 33S54 33 50 706 25 SENEKAL 027E30 26 28S15 19 50 706 26 SIMONSTOWN 018E25 37 34S11 54 50 706 27 STELLENBOSCH 018E52 11 33S54 56 50 706 28 TABLE MOUNTAIN 018E24 13 33S57 25 50 706 29 THABAZIMBI 027E36 51 24S27 59 50 706 30 THE BLUFF 031E00 45 29S54 40 50 706 31 TYGERBERG 018E35 46 33S52 29 50 706 32 VERULAM 031E02 19 29S38 25 50 706 33 BURGERSDORP 026E20 21 31S00 02 51 714 34 DULLSTROOM 030E11 17 25S34 21 51 714 35 GROOT MARICO 026E26 08 25S37 11 51 714 36 HANKEY 024E52 13 33S49 52 51 714 37 MATJIESFONTEIN 020E30 20 33S16 52 51 714 38 PATENSIE 024E49 43 33S45 37 51 714 39 PAUL SAUER DAM 024E33 43 33S45 13 51 714 40 PLETTENBERG BAY 023E22 30 34S03 32 51 714 41 STRAALHOEK 029E50 53 30S20 49 51 714 42 SWARTRUGGENS 026E48 09 25S40 59 51 714 10
43 TAUNG 024E37 00 27S31 30 51 714 44 TOLWE 028E27 29 23S04 59 51 714 45 WILLOWMORE 023E27 36 33S14 05 51 714 46 BLOEMFONTEIN 026E13 50 29S06 13 52 722 47 GLENCOE 029E56 51 28S09 04 52 722 48 POTGIETERSRUS 029E14 10 24S09 24 52 722 49 SEVERN 023E04 00 26S24 00 52 722 50 VAN RHYNSDORP 018E41 24 31S45 16 52 722 51 KIESEL 027E08 00 23S52 00 53 730 52 MIER 020E18 15 26S41 30 53 730 53 RUSTENBURG 027E07 06 25S36 56 53 730 54 RUSTENBURG (CASHAN) 027E07 06 25S36 56 53 730 55 THLABANE 027E11 39 25S37 16 53 730 56 UBOMBO 032E04 52 27S33 42 53 730 57 VILLIERSDORP 019E30 25 33S58 09 53 730 58 BEZVALLEY 028E 05 04 26S11 41 54 738 59 DEBEERSRUS 022E12 00 26S36 00 54 738 60 ENZELSBURG 026E13 16 25S25 07 54 738 61 GA-RANKUWA 028E01 25 25S36 12 54 738 62 GARIES 018E04 43 30S18 52 54 738 63 HELDERKRUIN 027E51 32 26S06 05 54 738 64 JOHANNESBURG 028E00 26 26S11 31 54 738 65 LINMEYER 028E04 16 26S16 08 54 738 66 MABOPANE 028E03 48 25S30 57 54 738 67 MAKADIMA 025E49 23 25S26 47 54 738 68 MENLO PARK 028E16 09 25S46 15 54 738 69 MONDEOR 027E59 52 26S16 52 54 738 70 MOTSWEDI 025E52 18 25S16 55 54 738 71 MULBARTON 028E03 56 26S17 36 54 738 72 NELSPRUIT 030E46 35 25S30 55 54 738 73 PRETORIA 027E59 03 25S4120 54 738 74 PRETORIA NORTH 028E10 07 25S41 25 54 738 75 STRAALHOEK 029E50 53 30S20 49 54 738 76 SUNNYSIDE 028E12 24 25S45 53 54 738 77 BLOEMFONTEIN 026E13 50 29S06 13 55 746 78 DOUGLAS 023E31 49 29S04 14 55 746 79 LOMBAARDSVLAKTE 022E15 00 28S20 15 55 746 80 POFADDER 018E56 25 29S14 30 55 746 81 UNIONDALE 023E03 06 33S43 23 55 746 82 UNIONDALE (TOWN) 023E03 06 33S43 23 55 746 83 CHRISTIANA 024E55 50 27S53 03 56 754 84 DE AAR 023E59 16 30S27 49 56 754 85 EMPANGENI 031E53 30 28S44 40 56 754 86 ESHOWE 031E17 37 28S51 29 56 754 87 KLERKSDORP 026E24 29 26S45 14 56 754 88 MIDDELBURG 029E23 24 25S49 04 56 754 11
89 PIET RETIEF 030E41 03 27S01 11 56 754 90 POTCHEFSTROOM 027E04 32 26S41 46 56 754 91 QUDENI 030E51 59 28S38 03 56 754 92 RICHARDS BAY 032E06 24 28S47 10 56 754 93 ULUNDI 031E23 38 28S27 00 56 754 94 DULLSTROOM 030E11 17 25S34 21 57 762 95 ERMELO 029E59 57 26S30 35 57 762 96 KIESEL 027E08 00 23S52 00 57 762 97 MIER 020E18 15 26S41 30 57 762 98 PILANESBERG 027E05 35 25S21 07 57 762 99 UBOMBO 032E04 52 27S33 42 57 762 100 BEZVALLEY 028E 05 04 26S11 41 58 770 101 DEBEERSRUS 022E12 00 26S36 00 58 770 102 EAST LONDON 027E48 58 32S56 20 58 770 103 ENZELSBURG 026E13 16 25S25 07 58 770 104 GA-RANKUWA 028E01 25 25S36 12 58 770 105 GARIES 018E04 43 30S18 52 58 770 106 GREYTOWN 030E32 10 29S00 46 58 770 107 GREYTOWN DORP 030E36 48 29S02 05 58 770 108 HELDERKRUIN 027E51 32 26S06 05 58 770 109 JOHANNESBURG 028E00 26 26S11 31 58 770 110 LINMEYER 028E04 16 26S16 08 58 770 111 MABOPANE 028E03 48 25S30 57 58 770 112 MAKADIMA 025E49 23 25S26 47 58 770 113 MENLO PARK 028E16 09 25S46 15 58 770 114 MOLEMA 030E02 40 23S18 38 58 770 115 MONDEOR 027E59 52 26S16 52 58 770 116 MOTSWEDI 025E52 18 25S16 55 58 770 117 MULBARTON 028E03 56 26S17 36 58 770 118 NELSPRUIT 030E46 35 25S30 55 58 770 119 PRETORIA 027E59 03 25S4120 58 770 120 PRETORIA NORTH 028E10 07 25S41 25 58 770 121 SUNNYSIDE 028E12 24 25S45 53 58 770 122 TZANEEN 030E00 17 23S47 06 58 770 123 VOLKSRUST 029E53 15 27S18 33 58 770 124 DOUGLAS 023E31 49 29S04 14 59 778 125 ITSOSENG 025E55 18 26S04 30 59 778 126 LOMBAARDSVLAKTE 022E15 00 28S20 15 59 778 127 MADIBOGO 025E15 14 26S27 28 59 778 128 POFADDER 018E56 25 29S14 30 59 778 129 SMITHFIELD 026E21 56 29S55 43 59 778 130 CHRISTIANA 024E55 50 27S53 03 60 786 131 DE AAR 023E59 16 30S27 49 60 786 132 EMPANGENI 031E53 30 28S44 40 60 786 133 ESHOWE 031E17 37 28S51 29 60 786 134 KLERKSDORP 026E24 29 26S45 14 60 786 12
135 MIDDELBURG 029E23 24 25S49 04 60 786 136 PIET RETIEF 030E41 03 27S01 11 60 786 137 POTCHEFSTROOM 027E04 32 26S41 46 60 786 138 QUDENI 030E51 59 28S38 03 60 786 139 RICHARDS BAY 032E06 24 28S47 10 60 786 140 ULUNDI 031E23 38 28S27 00 60 786 13