In response to the growing publicity around DTT ? Digital Terrestrial Television, I would like to bring my share of contribution to start a national debate on the issue. It seems that there is only one single player that is monopolizing the subject matter, although they have not proved yet to be an SME ? subject matter expert in this domain! The DTT project has not been elaborated with clear objectives, on the same line, as the Cyber Island project has never, till now, been explained to the nation. DTT is part of a global telecommunications innovative perspective, and does not stand alone in the spectrum of content delivery. In fact what are the challenges on the DTT technological frontiers and what is the responsibility of Government, worldwide and here, professing that this telecommunications event will enhance the life of people in this digital age? Are we prepared yet to step into this arena and relentlessly consume another imposed technological model of telecommunications?

Hence my concern, as a patriot, first, and as a passionate specialist in the related fields of audiovisual & ICT technologies and applications, to bring forward my views, based on empirical studies and research, conducted over years. Mauritius is a difficult country to get one?s ideas exposed, without drawing the wrath of policy makers, stagnant political hoodlums and self proclaimed experts. No doubt, I am going to raise simple policy issues, that should have been debated in the public domain and obtained a nationwide support for such technological changes that directly will affect our life system. This is the new BOP approach ? the Bottom of the Pyramid concept, where wealth is created and consumed, far from the comfort zone of the living room discretion of the few lot that decides our priorities, out of the blue. DTT, by the end of the day targets the majority lot, that will be invited to consume a product, like any other one, and yet that has a driving force to change each and everyone?s life. We may end up transforming the overall life pattern of a nation, an entire generation, that may hide irreversible effects, unless the appropriate notions are studied and suitable strategies are carefully implemented.

Digital Broadcasting Spectrum

This implies four components: a. Production of software in the digital mode ? Digital Video (DV), that gives a first cut in real digital quality. Many broadcasting stations around the world, imposes this obligatory DV mode for all their on-air productions. This is the initial start up of the digital spectrum.

b. Broadcasting processes in the studio, sending off Tv signals on air, have digital suites, hence ensuring the digital continuity

c. Network distribution on digital multiplexes using MPEG 2 and may be MPEG 4 compression modes that finally transmit the digital contents with a better quality, and can even carry more advanced added-value services, such as Video On Demand (VOD), Interactive applications, etc? Network distributors, have the responsibility of developing and maintaining the digital transmission networks while adding more multiplexes, thus shifting definitely from traditional analogue transmission. In fact, the real revolution in DTT started from this perspective, allowing more television signals to be made available for transmission.

d. The Household Television set is the last component in this digital event! The set must comprise a digital receiver or converter, in the form of a STB or Set Top Box; and preferably the Tv set is itself a digital receiver. Certain Governments have already imposed a ban on the traditional CRT Tv (the ones we are using NOW, using the Cathode Ray Tube). The compatible television sets with DTT are LCD Tv and Plasma Tv.

Since the CRT Tv is certainly set for an early extinction with the digitization of our digital broadcasting evolution, some Governments, like the US, require that CRT Tv be eliminated from the market by 2008, while the EU has adopted a 2010 sunset clause. Local Mauritian authorities must awake, and adopt policies to prevent dumping of low cost CRT Tv in our market. It will make no sense, pushing on one hand DTT and blindly denying the compatibility of other components.

The consumers of the digital era must be encouraged to shift towards either LCD Tv or Plasma Tv. New policies must be examined and adopted to facilitate the marketing and shift for these new Tv sets. The future of television is certainly the LCD and Plasma Tv. While the CRT Tv has ONLY a 25,000 hrs lifespan and has high radiation levels, the LCD Tv will last 60,000 hrs (20 years) and has NO radiation, and Plasma Tv having a lifetime of 30,000, with certain levels of radiation!

FTA Set Top Boxes Trade

Another report from, In-Stat/ MDR, said the popularity of FTA boxes will carry overall shipments of set-top boxes to 65 million this year and to 71 million units by 2008.

?The growth in free-to-air set-top boxes has to do with the pricing of the boxes coming down and becoming more affordable for more homes, especially in Asia, Africa and the Middle East,? commented In-Stat/MDR Senior Analyst Michelle Abraham. Falling component prices have led to price drops.

Shipments of FTA boxes will outpace those of pay-TV boxes this year, the survey said, hitting 36 million units, compared with 29 million. FTA boxes also outsold other variants in 2003.

FTA boxes aside, overall growth in shipments of all digital satellite receivers is also being driven by other factors, including a rise in the number of boxes per household in North America, users swapping out their set-top boxes in Europe following technology consolidation, and new satellite services in India, the survey said. In addition, improved video compression will have an effect, and lower component prices are bringing down the cost of pay-TV boxes as well.

Democratic process

I am trying to raise a nationwide consciousness on the DTT dashboard through this research. Parallel to other developmental sectors of our geo-political strategy and socio-economic growth and welfare, I am duty bound to expose the above ideas and inviting thereafter policy makers and its players to react positively over such technological determinants. The role of policy makers are not only limited to voice out interests over critical matters of technological development; they have responsibility to forge and ensure that strategies are pulled away from unmeaning and cheap political debates and acknowledge the fact that we live in a knowledge economy, and probe for ideas through a democratic process.

Hence the call for a national debate on DTT, the future of our broadcasting system, the democratization of our local production policies and practices, the place of advertising in the new DTT landscape, the role of Pay Tv on the DTT platform, the advent of opening too much the space for other players, the role of the Public Broadcaster and the co-habitation with other digital players, other than DTT ? DSL, Cable, DTH?

Deven MAULLOO Snr Consultant in Audio Visual Communications & ICT Technologies