COMMONWEALTH TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION DIGITAL BROADCASTING 2017 (CARIBBEAN) LICENSING POLICIES FOR THE CARIBBEAN: A TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO EXPERIENCE FOR THE BROADCASTING SECTOR PRESENTED BY: BALCHAN GUNNESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 21 22 NOVEMBER, 2017
Outline T&T Authorisation Framework The Broadcasting Sector: Status Quo Authorisation Options for DTT Proposed Authorisation Approach Future Plans for the UHF TV Band
T&T Authorisation Framework
Instruments of Authorisation Concessions Required for the operation of any public network or provision of any public service. Licences Required when networks, services or equipment use radio communication. Not required for the operation/ provision of any private/ closed user group network/ service. Issued with concession where radio communication is part of any public network or service. Granted by the Minister based on recommendations made by the Authority. Granted by the Authority. 4
Concessions Telecommunications o Domestic Mobile Service Providers (voice & Internet) o Domestic Fixed Service Providers (voice & Internet) o International Facilities and Services Providers (voice & data) Broadcasting o Free to Air Radio Stations o Free to Air Television Stations o Subscription Television ( Cable or Satellite ) Providers
Licences Spectrum Licence o Exclusive use of spectrum blocks within a service area. o E.g. - Domestic Mobile Service Providers Station Licence o Use of specific frequency or call sign at a specific location or area, based on specified operating parameters. o E.g. Free to Air Television Stations Class Licence o General authorisation to a type of radiocommunications device. o E.g. WiFi devices
The Broadcasting Sector: Status Quo
T&T Broadcasting Sector Market Segment Broadcasters in Operation Subscription TV Thirteen (13) Free-to-Air Radio Thirty-Eight (38) Free-to-Air Television Seven (7) TV via Cable Eight (8)
FTA Television Broadcasters Authorisation required: o Concession to provide FTA TV broadcasting service o Station Licence for use of frequency channels Analogue Broadcast National coverage o 1 VHF and 2 UHF frequency channels Major territorial coverage (Trinidad) o 2 UHF channels Minor territorial coverage (Tobago) o 2 UHF channels
Authorisation Options for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT)
DTT Authorisation Options Option 1 : o Each FTA TV Broadcaster maintain a UHF frequency assignment for DTT o Each FTA Broadcaster can control the content channels in a 6 MHz UHF channel o Concession to provide broadcasting service o Station Licence for use of UHF frequency channel
DTT Authorisation Options Option 2 : o Common Carrier / Signal Distributor assigned UHF frequency channels for provision of digital FTA broadcasting platform o Each FTA Broadcaster will broadcast on a content channel provided by the Common Carrier / Signal Distributor o Common Carrier / Signal Distributor may provide Pay TV content on free content channels o Concession to provide broadcasting service to the FTA Broadcaster o Station Licence for use of UHF frequency channels to the Common Carrier / Signal Distributor
Proposed DTT Licensing Approach: Trinidad and Tobago Approach
Proposed DTT Authorisation Options Option 2 : o Common Carrier / Signal Distributor assigned UHF frequency channels for provision of digital FTA broadcasting platform o Each FTA Broadcaster will broadcast on a content channel provided by the Common Carrier / Signal Distributor o Concession to provide broadcasting service to the FTA Broadcaster o Station Licence for use of UHF frequency channels to the Common Carrier / Signal Distributor
Proposed DTT Authorisation Options (cont d) It is proposed that there can be up to two (2) Signal Distributors. The proposed approach is as follows: o o The Signal Distributor shall be a wholesale broadcasting provider The Signal Distributor shall treat with all bona fide broadcasting service providers seeking access to its resources for the provision of a FTA service in a non-discriminatory manner o The Authority may restrict the deployment of conditional access DTT via the Signal Distributor 27/11/2017 15
Future Plans for the UHF TV Band
APT 700 MHz The 698 806 MHz range was not utilized by Broadcasters, as many of our Caribbean neighbours Spectrum for mobile broadband (LTE) Spectrum Plan was consulted upon and is being finalized for publication by the end of the year 2 x 10 MHz per operator, for up to 3 operators 2 x 10 MHz for public protection, disaster relief
White Spaces Framework for the accommodation of white space devices consulted upon and being finalized for publication by the end of the year Only Fixed WSDs have been proposed Fixed WSDs will be allowed to operate under specific technical rules to ensure protection of broadcasting services and will only be able to use frequencies not already assigned to Broadcasters
Thank you Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago Website: www.tatt.org.tt Email: info@tatt.org.tt Tel: 1 868 675 8288 Fax: 1 868 674 1055