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ITU symposium to mark switchover from analogue to digital TV
Geneva, 1 June 2015 – The deadline for the transition from
analogue to digital broadcasting, set for 17 June 2015, is applicable for all
countries belonging to
ITU Region-1 (Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central
Asia) and the Islamic Republic of Iran. ITU will mark this key milestone with a
thought-provoking symposium at its headquarters in Geneva to highlight the
inherent advantages offered by digital terrestrial broadcasting today and in the
future.
The above deadline for switching off analogue television broadcasting in the
UHF band was set by ITU Member States at the Regional Radiocommunication
Conference in 2006, known as the GE06 Regional Agreement.
The symposium
will bring experts from around the world to examine the objectives of the
transition from analogue to digital broadcasting and take a look at advances in
television, such as ultra-high-definition TV (UHDTV), Integrated
broadcast-broadband (IBB) systems, and smart TV platforms as well as building a
sustainable ecosystem for digital TV in the future and its spectrum
requirements. New technologies related to digital broadcasting, including UHDTV,
hybrid HbbTV, extended image dynamic range, higher frame rates, and immersive
audio, will be demonstrated by leading developers and experts from the BBC, EBU,
Dolby, Fraunhofer and others.
Digital TV broadcasting offers many advantages over analogue systems for
end-users, operators and regulators. Apart from increasing the number of
channels, digital systems can provide new innovative services, such as
interactive TV, electronic programme guides and mobile TV as well as transmit
image and sound in high-definition (HDTV) and ultra-high definition (UHDTV).
Digital TV requires less energy to ensure the same coverage as for analogue
while decreasing overall costs of transmission. The more efficient use of radio
spectrum brought on by digital TV also allows for the so-called digital dividend
resulting from the freeing up of spectrum for use by other services, such as
mobile broadband.
Countries around the world are actively working towards the switchover to
digital television. Several countries that are parties to the GE06 Agreement, as
well as many who are not, have already made the transition; others are in the
process of doing so.
“As the specialized agency of the United Nations dealing with information and
communication technologies, including spectrum and satellite orbit issues, ITU
will keep supporting the development of new technologies,” said ITU
Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. “I congratulate administrations around the world
which have successively switched to digital television broadcasting and I also
wish all success to those still in the process of doing so.”
Media note: Media access to the symposium is open. Press briefing on 17 June
at 15:30 at ITU. The ITU Communications team will facilitate participation and
interview requests. UN Press accreditation is valid. Registration is required
for non-UN accredited Media. Please contact
pressevent@itu.int.
The symposium will be webcast.
For more information, please contact:
Sanjay Acharya
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information
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Grace Petrin
Communication Officer
ITU Radiocommunication
Bureau
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