Communal aerials for the digital age

Communal aerials for the digital age

Contents The challenge of digital 2 Existing communal TV systems 6 Integrated reception system 10 Time for action 14 Further information 16 SES ASTRA is the owner and operator of the ASTRA satellites, the leading European direct-to-home satellite television system. The fleet of 15 satellites delivers over 2,500 television and radio channels, as well as digital multimedia and internet services, directly to more than 122 million homes across Europe. In March 2009, over 10 million households in the UK and Ireland were receiving television broadcasts directly via ASTRA satellites. The ASTRA satellite system has been delivering television and radio programmes to the UK and Ireland for 20 years and in March 2009, over 10 million households were receiving television broadcasts directly via ASTRA satellites. This brochure is published by ASTRA to give the decision makers in the housing industry the solutions available to them to meet their residents demands for digital services. It is hoped that it will help landlords, managing agents, housing associations, local authorities, builders, and developers to upgrade their communal TV systems in the most cost-effective manner for the digital switchover, and beyond.

The challenge of digital Digital broadcasting has brought outstanding quality and choice to living rooms throughout the UK. Digital satellite delivers hundreds of standard and high-definition free and pay-tv channels, over 100 radio stations, and a wide selection of interactive data services: all available via the ASTRA satellite system. People who live in houses can choose their digital services by installing an aerial and/or dish. The systems are simple to install and there s a wide range of options: satellite in one room, terrestrial in another or a combination in every room. But for those who live in flats, or anyone with a communal aerial, the story can be very different because many communal systems can t take advantage of the digital broadcast revolution. While some older systems can handle a few digital terrestrial channels, they can t cope with the huge choice available from companies such as freesat and Sky. In many cases, existing communal TV systems are not physically able to distribute the full range of digital services. High-definition television or HDTV is the latest development in digital broadcasting and provides stunning picture quality and detail. It s one of the fastest growing technical innovations in broadcasting history but is also incompatible with many communal aerial networks. Although it s possible to enjoy HD movies and other programming with a Blu-ray DVD player, satellite is the only way to receive high-definition broadcasts. All this, added to the trend for families to watch different channels from different sources in different rooms, means that analogue systems are no longer suitable for a digital world. The huge growth in digital services is putting pressure on the housing industry to give flat residents the same opportunities and freedom of choice as householders. 1 2

Digital switchover Dates by TV region Border 2008/09 West Country 2009 Wales 2009/10 Granada 2009 West 2010/11 STV North 2010 STV Central 2010/11 Channel Islands 2010 Central 2011 Anglia 2011 Yorkshire 2011 Meridian 2012 London 2012 Tyne Tees 2012 UTV 2012 Source: Digital UK STV North STV Central Shetland Islands Digital switchover Digital UK figures show that around four million UK households receive TV and radio through communal aerials; so housing managers and landlords indirectly decide what these households can receive. Britain is in the process of switching from analogue TV transmission to digital, region by region. Once a region has switched, homes will no longer be able to receive analogue TV and by 2012 digital will be the only option available to anyone. The challenge for owners, landlords and managers is to upgrade communal systems so they can deliver the full range of digital services before the switchover. TV and more Border UTV Granada Tyne Tees Central Yorkshire Anglia Freeview, or digital terrestrial, provides around 50 TV channels and 30 radio stations - although not all of these are available nationwide - but only satellite provides the full range of digital services. According to Ofcom, there are now an estimated seventeen million HDTV sets in Britain but only satellite provides HD programming. More than 30 high-definition channels are already available on Sky, with more scheduled, and there s also some HD programming on freesat. And for non-english speakers, or those for whom English is a second language, there are satellite channels broadcasting in more than 15 languages. Digital satellite TV delivers additional red-button interactive services such as digital text, digital subtitles and audio description, alternative camera angles at events, interactive games and shopping, and an on-screen electronic programme guide (EPG). Wales West London Although there are plans to transmit high-definition terrestrially, it is yet to be decided how this will be done, let alone when. West Country Meridian 3 Channel Islands 4

Existing communal TV systems Unless the communal TV system serving your residents has been recently upgraded, it is probably incapable of supplying the digital services that have become the norm. Many of the components used in older systems are not suitable for receiving, carrying or distributing the digital signals. Communal TV systems in blocks of flats and housing developments have followed the same basic design for over 50 years. Although this design worked well in the analogue past it is sadly outdated and cannot handle today s full range of digital services, which individual homes can, and do, receive without difficulty. Not only is the system architecture insufficient to provide access to the hundreds of channels available with digital television, but many of the components used in older systems are not suitable for receiving, carrying or distributing the digital signals that make up the broadcast services of today. To provide residents with just a few of those digital services, existing communal TV reception systems must at the very least be upgraded. However, they must often be replaced entirely if the system is not only to meet the modern expectations of residents but also provide for future developments. 6

Existing equipment Older communal TV systems are usually designed with a tree and branch architecture, in which a single feed from an aerial and headend amplifier is successively subdivided to provide sub-feeds until it reaches the system outlets. This technique offers insufficient bandwidth to deliver the full range of digital services. The so-called loop variation of this configuration, with a single cable looped through successive outlets, is even less appropriate for a modern communal TV system. Bandwidth Existing communal TV systems were designed for the reception and distribution of analogue television and radio signals, covering a bandwidth of just over 400 MHz. A system to distribute the full measure of digital broadcasting, including digital satellite, high-definition and digital terrestrial services, requires a bandwidth in excess of 4,000 MHz to handle the vastly increased number of services supplied. In many cases, the very cable used for older communal TV networks is not suitable for distribution of digital broadcasts; it has insufficient bandwidth capability to carry the full range of digital signals. In addition, older cable and poorly specified new cable may not offer sufficient screening for the distribution of digital services. Service Source Number of channels/stations Coverage Approx. bandwidth for distribution Limited upgrade In a few cases, where an existing communal TV system allows, some measure of compliance with digital switchover may be achieved by upgrading for reception of digital terrestrial TV (Freeview) only. However, this severely limits the provision of digital services for residents. Not only is the choice of TV channels reduced to less than 10% of the full complement available, but opting for a terrestrial-only solution means that neither full interactive services nor high-definition TV are available. Residents need access to all digital services to benefit from all that digital broadcasting has to offer. What s more, many areas of the UK will have only a limited terrestrial service, whereby reception of all the terrestrial Freeview channels will not be possible, even after the digital switchover. In a few places there will be no terrestrial television service at all. It is estimated that up to a quarter of households in Wales and Northern Ireland, a fifth in some parts of England, and 12% of Scottish homes will not have access to all Freeview digital TV channels through their aerial when analogue TV has been phased out (source: Ofcom). It is for this reason that the UK Government actively encouraged all terrestrial broadcasters to complete their UK coverage by satellite. Digital satellite is available throughout the country, and a communal TV system that includes digital satellite in its provision is the surest way to meet residents demands for a genuine full choice of services, for the foreseeable future. Digital satellite TV ASTRA satellites Many hundreds Full national 4,100 MHz Digital terrestrial TV Ground transmitters Up to 40 Limited national High-definition TV ASTRA satellites > 30 increasing Full national Digital terrestrial radio Ground transmitters Typically up to 60 Local & limited national Digital satellite radio ASTRA satellites > 150 Full national FM radio Ground transmitters Typically up to 30 Interactive TV services ASTRA satellites and ground transmitters N/A Local & limited national Full national 400 MHz for both services Included in digital satellite TV bandwidth 12 MHz Included in digital satellite TV bandwidth 20 MHz Included in digital satellite TV bandwidth 7 8

The answer - integrated reception system An integrated reception system (IRS) is a development of communal aerial architecture that can distribute analogue and digital signals from both terrestrial and satellite sources simultaneously to every home in a block or estate. It is the only practical way to meet residents demands today and into the future, to provide a comprehensive range of services, received by a variety of means - offering everything for everyone. An IRS distributes the signals from communal antennas (usually hidden from view on the roof of a block or on one central building of an estate) to each home in the system, providing each one with access to digital satellite TV and radio, digital terrestrial TV, FM and DAB radio. Where it is available an IRS will also carry analogue terrestrial TV to provide continuity right up to the digital switchover. The property manager does not need to become involved in what services are taken by different residents. Because an IRS only carries the broadcast signals it is up to the individual residents to decide which, if any, channels or services they wish to receive. It is the residents who contact the broadcaster for any subscription services they want exactly as if they were in an individual house with their own set of aerials and satellite dish. Such a system can also be very simply extended to provide specialist local services to homes, such as CCTV coverage, in addition to the broadcast services. The key to an IRS is that each outlet sees all of the services as though connected to its own individual set of aerials and antennas. Residents use the same types of domestic equipment already in use throughout the country. The choice of which equipment to buy or rent, and which services to use, remains with each household, according to their individual requirements and financial circumstances. The property manager does not need to become involved in what services are taken by different residents. The cabling takes on a star structure, with all outlets connected individually to the centralised equipment. This may be housed on or near the roof, near the antennas, in a small to medium sized installation, or distributed along a backbone of trunk cables run through the central riser of a tower block or between individual buildings of a larger development. The IRS concept is appropriate to any kind of multiple dwelling, and the basic design can be extended from a handful of outlets, to many hundreds. 9 10

Getting it right Upgrading a large communal TV system is a complex and technical project. Each IRS is specifically designed for the particular building or development it will serve, and both design and installation are highly specialised jobs. However the IRS concept has been well established for many years and thousands of IRS systems have been installed throughout the UK, delivering residents services invisibly and reliably in the background. The expertise is widely available and a complete solution for your property exists today. Suitably qualified and experienced contractors will be able to specify the correct antennas and aerials for the services available in the geographic area. They can determine the components and layout for the system to best suit your property, providing a modern communal TV system that will meet residents demands for a genuine full choice of services for the future. More outlets Cable and fibre All cables used in an integrated reception system are of the highest quality to ensure reliable reception of all services in all households connected to the system. IRS cables should be certified by the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) for use with digital signals in communal TV networks. The recent introduction of fibre-based IRS systems (using optical signal transmission) has enabled a wider variety of IRS configurations to be employed. In particular, fibre can successfully carry signals over a much longer distance than conventional copper cables, so the requirement for central aerials, antennas and distribution equipment to be relatively close to all homes served by the IRS, is no longer necessary. This means that large housing developments, with individual buildings spread over a wide area can be accommodated in a single (fibre-only or mixed copper/fibre) IRS, with substantial cost savings in the initial outlay, installation and maintenance, but with no corresponding reduction of facilities or reception quality. To effectively future-proof your IRS, it s essential that each household is provided with sufficient outlets. Today s television habits, where almost every home has multiple TVs, mean different channels are watched or recorded in different locations round the house. An IRS can cope easily with this provided that the requirement is factored in with multiple outlets in each household stipulated from the start. The provision of multiple TV points is an excellent selling benefit in any home. In a communal TV system, additional outlets are needed for secondary TV sets and additional Sky, freesat or Freeview boxes. Most households now have more than one television and having three or more sets is commonplace. At the end of 2008, 1.6 million homes had a second Sky Digibox while over 16.3 million households used a second TV set to watch digital TV (source: Ofcom). With high-definition television sets and digital receivers in personal video recorder (PVR) format becoming the normal purchase in the high street those numbers will only rise as analogue services are switched off. It is almost impossible to overestimate a property s television outlet requirements, particularly when considering future needs. 11 12

Time for action If they don t have access to an IRS, residents are likely to install their own antennas. Some landlords and property managers may believe upgrading communal TV systems is an unnecessary expense in difficult times, but provision for digital TV is not optional. The reception of television has become one of the very basic services that tenants expect, just like water, gas and electricity. Analogue TV broadcasts have already been switched off in parts of the country. Communal TV systems that are not upgraded will cease to provide residents with the TV that they are used to, that they expect, and even that they are contractually entitled to. Digital switchover has started and communal TV systems must be upgraded now. Action cannot be delayed. Demand for IRS equipment and expertise is rising as the digital switchover progresses, and may outstrip supply as your region s switchover date draws near. Postponement is only likely to increase the ultimate cost of the upgrade. Even before the digital switchover hits your region, ignoring the need to upgrade a communal system leaves residents without access to the choice of digital services available now and already enjoyed by most of the population. This is likely to antagonise current residents and deter future customers. Where residents are connected to an outdated communal TV system and denied access to the digital future, they are likely to take matters into their own hands and install their own antennas. A proliferation of dishes and aerials on multi-dwelling units causes visual pollution, can break local planning policy, and often damages the property. It also reduces the property s market value and runs the risk of litigation arising from injury by poorly installed antennas. Only the provision of all available digital broadcasting services to residents by means of an IRS can future-proof your properties and deliver total freedom of choice to residents. The process of upgrading your existing communal reception system to full reception and distribution of digital broadcasts is technically complex, and for the benefits to be fully realized, the system must be accurately tailored to the needs of your property and your residents. That being said the benefits both to your tenants and to you are automatically delivered by the right system. Your residents enjoy freedom of digital choice, and you and the housing management team benefit from reduced ongoing maintenance costs, reduced complaints and tenant conflict, not to mention peace of mind. Decisions made now will have long-term consequences. Your current system maintenance contractor may not be sufficiently qualified or experienced in IRS but getting the right design is crucial, and one cannot cut corners. Your first step towards upgrading your existing communal reception system should be to contact Sky Communal TV, a division of BSkyB. They can, alongside your current system maintenance contractor, help with both the planning and design of the upgrade and its specification for the tendering process. Sky Communal TV can also recommend trained and approved independent installation contractors specializing in IRS, and assist with the project management and many other aspects of the installation. Independent advice and recommendation of professionals can also be obtained at any stage of the process from the industry trade association, the CAI. Whatever the path towards upgrading your property to reception of full digital broadcasting with an IRS, a wealth of knowledge and experience is available together with the specialist skills to design and implement it. An integrated reception system will provide your residents with an up-to-date communal aerial that will meet both their, and your, demands for many years to come. Digital switchover has started and communal TV systems must be upgraded now. 14

IRS - right for your residents the best choice of TV and radio channels access to high-definition TV advanced interactive services continuity of service through digital switchover same service/equipment/subscription choices as individual homes freedom to choose supplier and services specialist channel choice IRS - right for you comprehensive solution to going digital residents demands for digital services fully satisfied no individual aerials and dishes on the property homes plug and play for new residents guaranteed good reception enhancement to the property adds value for potential new residents Further information ASTRA Owner and operator of the ASTRA satellites, the leading European direct-to-home satellite television system. ASTRA (GB) Ltd 15 Fetter Lane London EC4A 1BW Tel: 020 7632 7920 Website: www.ses-astra.com/uk Sky Communal TV A department of British Sky Broadcasting created to promote and support the installation of integrated reception systems as a standard in all multiple dwelling properties. Sky Communal TV British Sky Broadcasting Grant Way Isleworth, TW7 5QD Tel: 08442 410388 Website: www.sky.com/communaltv Confederation of Aerial Industries Trade association for the TV and radio signal distribution industry of installers and manufacturers. The Confederation of Aerial Industries Communications House 41a Market Street Watford Hertfordshire WD18 0PN Tel: 01923 803030 Email: office@cai.org.uk Website: www.cai.org.uk Digital UK Not-for-profit company responsible for leading the UK s switchover from analogue to digital TV. Digital UK The Met Building 22 Percy Street London W1B 2BU Tel: 0845 234 0380 Website: www.digitaluk.co.uk 16

ASTRA (GB) Ltd 15 Fetter Lane London EC4A 1BW Tel: 020 7632 7920 Website: www.ses-astra.com/uk Email: aml@ses-astra.com ASTRA is a trademark of SES ASTRA S.A., an SES company. SES S.A. is a publicly quoted corporation, whose securities are listed on the Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchanges. The information and data contained herein are subject to change.