INTRODUCTION OF DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING (DAB… · INTRODUCTION OF DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING...

INTRODUCTION OF DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING (DAB)

IN UGANDA

ASSESSING READINESS FOR DAB INTRODUCTION

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23-03-2017

Presented at DAB Stakeholders’ Dissemination Workshop

A COLLABORATIVE STUDY

UGANDA COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

INTER-UNIVERSITY STAFF

• Dr. Roseline N. Akol - Makerere University• Paul Bogere - Makerere University • Mr. Godfrey Kibalya Mirondo - Ndejje University• Mr. Nelson Tashobya – International University of East Africa

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A STUDY CONDUCTED BETWEEN APRIL AND DECEMBER 2016

OUTLINEBackground – Radio-broadcasting in UgandaObjectives of the StudyMethodology of the studyLiterature review

•What is DAB? – Structure, benefits, challenges•DAB Implementation around the word, case studies

Key Findings on Uganda’s Readiness

•Policy, Legal and Regulatory framework

•Institutional framework requirements

•Infrastructure status and requirements

•Market views and ensuring Universal Access

•Learnings from Digital TV migration

Recommendations3

The Utilization of the FM frequency band (88 to 108 MHz) is up to 99% - according to UCC

BACKGROUND – UGANDA’S BROADCASTING SUB-SECTOR

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BACKGROUND – UGANDA’S BROADCASTING SUB-SECTOR

In many counties, the FM Spectrum is full

As a result,

•Interference and poor quality signal reception

•No room for new radio stations

•Difficult to innovate

DAB provides a fresh start to radio broadcasting5

OBJECTIVES

Main objective: To conduct an assessment of the feasibilityand readiness of Uganda for Digital Audio Broadcasting.

Specific Objectives;

•Identify the policy, legal and regulatory pre-requisites tofacilitate the transition from analogue to DAB.

•The network infrastructure and other technical pre-requisites for the introduction of DAB.

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OBJECTIVES

•Assess market readiness and structure required, includingbusiness development, the investment incentives and othersupport required.

•Propose interventions to achieve universal access withoutcreating marginalization of persons in the society andprotection of consumers from exploitation.

•Review various approaches taken in other countries forthe implementation of DAB.

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METHODOLOGY

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Literature Survey

Research tools – Design and Testing

Stakeholder consultations – radio stations, listeners, others

Data Entry, Cleaning and Analysis

Documentation & Dissemination of findings

Survey design (Radio listeners)

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Characteristic Household & Individual listeners

Domains 1 = National (stratified as regions, then sub-regions)

Tabulation groups Urban, Rural

Sampling Method Stratified, multi-stage random sampling

Oversampling Urban 60% Rural 40%

Clustering Enumeration Areas (EA) national Census

None Response Random substitution

Sample Frame Census sample from UBOS

Method Interview – using questionnaires for households

Timelines Data collected between June and August 2016

Confidence Level 95%

Absolute precision 5%

Population Proportion 0.5, for maximum sample size

Target Sample Size 768

Actual Sample size 425

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LITERATURE REVIEW

WHAT IS DAB?•The [digital] transmission signal carries a multiplex ofseveral digital services (audio and data) simultaneously

•Overall bandwidth is 1.536 MHz, providing a useful bitrate capacity of about 1.5 Mbps in a complete “ensemble”

•Each service is independently error-protected with acoding overhead ranging from 25% to 300%, depending onthe requirements of the broadcasters

•A flexible audio bit rate, ranging from 8 kbps to 384 kbps –implying that an ensemble can provide typically 5 to 6 highquality stereo audio programmes or up to 20 restrictedquality mono programmes

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WHAT IS DAB?

•Data services – can be a separately defined stream or canbe defined by means of a packet structure

•Programme Associated Data (PAD) – This is embedded inthe audio bit stream, for data transmitted with the audioprogramme (e.g lyrics, telephone numbers)

•Conditional Access (CA) – Applicable to each individualservice or packet in case of packet mode data

•Service information (SI) – Used for operation and controlof receivers, provides information for programme selectionto the user

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DAB Network Architecture

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Head-end Distribution Transmission sites

DAB Receiver Profiles

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•DAB radio receivers are classified into receiver profiles

depending on supported services as a result of defined

minimum functionality

•Receiver Profile 1 is a standard receiver:

•Spectrum: Band 3, L-Band

• Channel decoding:

•One sub-channel –mandatory

•280 capacity units – DAB

•144 capacity units – DAB+


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•Receiver Profile 1:

•Audio decoding: MPEG Layer 2 decoding is mandatory

MPEG Layer 4 HE AACv2 is mandatory

•Text: Station name display is mandatory

EPG is recommended for receivers with suitable display

•Analog services: Reception of FM and MW (AM) is mandatory

•Receiver profile 2: A rich media audio receiver with color

screen display of at least 320x240 pixel


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•Receiver profile 2:

•All receiver profile 1 functionality

•Simultaneous channel decoding of a minimum of 4 sub-channels and a

minimum of a total 288 capacity units are mandatory

•A mandatory slideshow presentation

•Broadcast Website is recommended

•Radio Receiver profile 3: These are multi-purpose receivers

with color screen displays capable of playing video.

•All receiver profile 2 functionality

•Channel decoding of a minimum 432 capacity units (Total)

•Video decoding using H.264 protocol is mandatory

•A basic DAB radio receiver costs $25 and continue to drop.


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DAB Radio in Car

•There is growing momentum towards adoption ofDAB/DAB+ in the car industry


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DAB Radio over phone

•An LG Stylus DAB+ device unveiled by LG Electronics.

This has the first built-in DAB+ broadcast digital radio.

DAB BENEFITS

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Superior spectrum efficiency to analogue

Traffic Information

Program Associated Data: DLS –Text delivery-weather reports-Program Line-up-Sports results

Support for Multiple Features and services

PAD -Slide shows-Adverts

-Community events-stock Markets

-Choosing station from list-No need to remember station frequency

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DAB BENEFITS

Support for Multiplexing

Multitude of different radio stations using same frequency

Multitude of different radio stations using same transmitter

Multiple Radio stations sharing the cost of Transmission

oSpectrum EfficientoReduced ;-CAPEX on transmitters- space for Tx installation- cooling Energy Requirements-Overall transmit power-- Transmission license fees--Maintenance fees

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DAB BENEFITS

New Revenue Opportunities

Advertising(New stations and services)

Licensing Fees(spectrum, transmission and distribution)

Taxation ( Media houses, broadcasting equipment, PAYE)

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DAB BENEFITS

Employment Opportunities

JOBS

Signal Distribution

Content Generation

Research &Innovation

Maintenance and Technical support

Policy & Regulation

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DAB BENEFITS

CHALLENGES OF DAB

• Compromised audio-quality with increased stations

per ensemble

•Earlier DAB versions offer poor reception quality due

to weak error correction coding

•Signal delay due to adoption of single-frequency

Network

•Incompatibility between DAB and DAB+ codec

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DAB IMPLEMENTATION AROUND THE WORLD

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DAB IMPLEMENTATION LANDSCAPE – EUROPE

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DAB IMPLEMENTATION LANDSCAPE – ASIA PACIFIC

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DAB IMPLEMENTATION LANDSCAPE – OTHERS

Source:www.WorldDAB.org28

DAB GLOBAL SUMMARY IN NUMBERS

•405,000,000 people able to receive DAB services

•36,000,000DAB receivers sold until June 2016

excluding automotive devices

•12,000,000 automotive DAB receivers sold until

June 2016

•1,966 DAB services on air

•35 Countries with DAB services on air

•95 member organizations of worldDAB 29

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EXPERIENCE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES

IMPLEMENTATION EXPERIENCE - SA

•The first phase was conducted by Southern African Digital Broadcasting Association (SADIBA), the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) – South Africa

•The phase aimed at establishing an end-to-end technical functionality of the standard

•The trial was run on two transmitter stations one at Johannesburg and another at Pretoria using channel 13F.

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Steps that were planned after the first phase of the trial

•Applying for a new 1 year trial license to complete phase 2and 3 of the DAB+ trial in 2016.

•Invite delegates from SADC Countries to witness theDAB+ trial at first hand.

•Fast track a framework for establishment of Digital radiopolicy and regulation.

•Motivate the Regulator to issue an “Invitation to apply”which will lead to Commercial launch of Digital Radio.

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•Following the expiry of the first DAB+ trial license, thenational regulator, ICASA extended the DAB trial licensefrom 12th April to 12th August 2016.

•The trial involved 20 radio services from the Public,Commercial and Community Broadcasting sectorstargeting 21.5 % of the population.

•Well as the first phase of the trial focused on networkverification processes, this second phase focused on audioand data testing.

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Receiver Market.•No investment has been put in place for putting in puttingDAB+ receivers on the market since the focus has been ontrialing licenses.

•It is also not expected that the DAB+ commercializationwill be launched immediately after the trial stages hence noDAB+ receivers on the market apart from those being usedfor trials. The trial gadgets are expected to support slideshow and other PAD services such as SLS.

•However, the automotive industry forexample BMWSouth Africa has been engaged in the trials so that newcars can have DAB+ Compatible radios when it gets intooperation. 34


Current Status (launched in 1998)•DAB accounts for 71% of all digital listening in the UKwhich stands at 45.5% of all the radio listening• 86% of new cars sold in the third quarter of 2016 camewith DAB as standard•The country has 3 regular national Multiplexes,10 regionalmultiplexes and 61 local multiplexes 10 of them being ontrial.•The government has put in place an action plan road mapfor DSO targeting 2017 be done once the following keytargets are met.DAB coverage matches the FM equivalentDAB accounts for 50% of all radio listening

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IMPLEMENTATION EXPERIENCE - UK

Why slow pace of DAB adoption in UK/Threats

1.Fragmented radio Industry

Vast array of platforms for digitalradio delivery:-Analogue terrestrialbroadcast of AM/FM/SW; digitalbroadcast via cable, digital broadcastvia TV, digital broadcast via satellite,and Internet.

Hence in this sea of competitors, DABwithout any unique features, was to acta supplementary role and notreplacement

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2.Poor DAB network planning and rollout.

Delayed deployment of regionalmultiplexes hence poor coverage.

Uneven distribution of DAB coveragewith no common coverage for thecommercial broadcasters and the BBC thuslimiting consumer choice.

Emphasis and resources dedicated to roadcoverage yet no DAB receivers in cars.

Hence hard for DAB to compete with theFM which had a national wide coveragewith robust signal reception in homes, carsand phones coupled with cheaper receivergadgets.

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3.Quality and type of digital content had no appeal.

Audio quality of DAB was worse than FMyet with high carriage costs compared to FM

Many listeners preferred Analogcompared to digital content

The Ofcom market survey conducted in2008 indicated that 88.8% of the consumerswere satisfied with their current analogueradio services so no incentive for newstandard.

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5.Wrong choice of DAB as a digital standard

oHigher Audio Qualityo2 – 3 times as many radio stations carried on a multiplex, oTransmission costs per station are 3 – 5 times lower oMore Robust Reception quality is far more robust oMore Cost effective for small local stations

Aging technology

DAB

DAB+

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6.Put the road and Cars will come - approach

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oCoverage along roads but nocars and phones equippedwith DAB hence no user.

oDAB receivers notcompatible with DAB+receivers in other countries

oManufacturers had nomarket incentive

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7. High cost of Digital receivers

DAB receivers

Analog Receivers

oYet Millions of analog receiversalready on marketoCompetition from personal audioplayers and TV sets for homeentertainment.

olegacy DAB receivers on markethad no provision for software oraudio codecs upgrade, not usable inother European countries usingother DAB standards and were notcompatible with DAB+ stations

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FINDINGS ON UGANDA’S READINESS FOR DAB

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POLICY, LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

•Uganda Broadcasting Policy, 2004•Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Act, 2005•Digital Migration Policy (Terrestrial Television), 2011•Uganda Communications Act, 2013

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There is no existing Ugandan policy document to guide the introduction of DAB. A DAB policy for Uganda is recommended

International and Regional Harmonization

•International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Regional Agreement, GE06 – ITU earmarked frequency band 174-230MHz for T-DAB

•African Telecommunications Union (ATU) – the African Spectrum Working Group (AFRISWOG) commissioned “Digital Sound Broadcasting and Optimization of GE84 FM Broadcasting Plan.”

•East-Africa Communications Organization (EACO) – its working group 6 (broadcasting) is following the studies by AFRISWOG closely. No implementations in the region yet.

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•A guiding framework for content developers

•Definition of national DAB standards (minimum) to enable

interoperability

•QoS of DAB service definition and protection of general public

against inferior service

•Guidelines on co-existence of DAB and analogue broadcasting

•Guidelines for establishment and operation of signal

distributors

•Guide the disposal of obsolete analog equipment

•Define the DAB market structure and licensing framework

•Provide for Universal access of DAB services, by providing

affordable and accessible services 45

DAB Policy

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR DAB

•Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) – Mandated to license, supervise and regulate communication services

•Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) – the national public broadcaster, also the designated to carry out signal distribution as a common carrier.

•National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) – to protect and represent the interests of its membership.

•Other stakeholder institutions: UNBS, NITA, KACITA, URA, Car Importers, MoFPED.

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DAB INFRASTRUCTURE OPTIONS

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DAB SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OPTIONS – Site-Sharing with Digital TV Networks

Expanding SIGNET network

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Infrastructure Requirements

Components that can be shared:• Masts• Transmitter houses• Generators• Uninterruptible power supplies

Other requirements (Not in place):• Head-end • Transmitters • Feeder cables• Band pass filters• Power dividers• Antenna systems

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DAB SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OPTIONS – National Backbone Infrastructure

MARKET VIEWS ON DAB

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Source :UCC –KUL study report into communication services and infrastructure across the country, 2015

% Area coverage% population coverage

NATIONAL RADIO COVERAGE

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BROADCASTERS APPETITE FOR DAB

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Would you support the introduction of DAB in Uganda?

Reservations expressed:

•The roll-out must be well planned,•The roll-out is gradual,•DAB service is free of monthly charges,•DAB is able to run alongside FM service,•The business risks are properly analyzed and addressed,•DAB signal improves radio listening experience.

INCENTIVES FOR SUCCESSFUL INTRODUCTION OF DAB - BROADCASTERS

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What incentives will be required for

successful introduction of DAB? Frequency

Percenta

geEnd-user sensitization, explain benefits 14 36%Free or affordable radio sets, subsidize 6 15%Gradual implementation of DAB, should

not be rushed 6 15%

Support radio stations during

implementation, remove taxes from DAB

equipment, train technicians, sensitize

the radio operators on benefits 11 28%

Develop policy support 2 5%

TOTAL 39 100%

AFFORDABLE DAB RADIO

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Minimum amount users can pay FrequencyPercentage

Below 10000 83 37%

10,001-50,000 118 52%

50,001-100,000 22 10%

100,001-150,000 3 1%

Total 226 100%

99% respondents (listeners) may not be able to pay for a DAB radio worth more than UGX 100,000

PROPOSED INTERVENTIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL INTRODUCTION OF DAB – END-USERS

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What should be done to make DAB introduction successful? FrequencyPercentage

Create awareness on benefits of DAB/Sensitization 127 29%

Government should avail affordable and good quality DAB

radio sets 152 35%

Monthly subscription should be very low, free if possible 132 30%

Extend grid electricity to all areas 5 1%

DAB radios should receive all stations very clearly 11 3%

First compensate owners of FM radio sets 6 1%

TOTAL 433 100%

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RECOMMENDATIONS

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DAB Version for implementation

•Adoption of DAB+ as opposed to DAB. Based on

International experience and global trend, DAB+ would be

the better option to offer the benefits inherent in digital

broadcasting.

•With enhanced audio quality, more number of stations

compared and lower transmission cost per station and for

small station transmissions.

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DAB Infrastructure

•Ensure that the 174-230 MHz band is reserved for DAB

•Leverage existing networks - the digital TV networks and

the NBI

•A single operator of the DAB signal distribution sub-system

to mitigate interoperability issues

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Market development and Universal Access

• Strong awareness campaign on DAB

•Training and capacity-building on DAB for government

agencies (UCC, UBC, MoICT) and the private sector.

•Accessible, affordable and good quality DAB receiver sets –

set minimum specifications/standards for DAB radios

•Set up a DAB trial/test network – demonstration, learning

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Policy, Legal and Regulatory framework

•There is need to develop a national policy in order to guide

the implementation and operation of DAB

•Develop a strategy to implement the policy capturing time

periods for pilot license awarding and pilot broadcasting.

•Need clearly define the specific roles of each of stakeholder

in the introduction of DAB in order to avoid duplication of

roles.

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Institutional framework

•Set up DAB steering committee to be in charge of guidance

on technology, policy, market and consumer issues.

•Constituted of representative from government, radio

operators, consumer organization, technology

manufacturers, radio signal distributors and the academia.

•setup sub-committees to handle specialized tasks such as

regulation, market and DAB device related matters.

•Early streamlining of DAB licensing process

•Establishment of project home

•Address the local signal insertion challenge for upcountry

radio operators

•Training of personnel

•Good quality and reliable receiver devices

•Quality measures regarding end-user devices

•Favorable pricing for end-user devices and subscription

fees63

Learnings from DTV Migration

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CONCLUSION - DAB Readiness Matrix

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Area State of readiness Action points

Policy, legal and regulatory

framework

Not ready - Identify benchmarks

- Formulate DAB policy for Uganda

Institutional framework Formidable framework in place.

A little re-organization needs to

be done for DAB

- Define roles of various institutions and stakeholders

- Mobilize cross-institutional, collaborative teams to guide the

introduction of DAB

Infrastructural requirements Not ready - Further interrogate the possibility of leveraging existing networks

for signal distribution.

- Possibility of telecos and data service providers in the end-to-end

DAB network

Markets (traders,

broadcasters, end-users)

Not ready - Sensitization for all broadcasters

- Training of the implanters (government and private

sector)/Training personnel

- Set up a DAB trial network – for training, learning and

demonstration purposes.

- Quality assurance: Set minimum quality standards for DAB

equipment and DAB radio sets. Quality of service guarantees for

DAB

- Innovative procurement and distribution of affordable DAB radio

sets

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THANK YOU

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