DTT viewers in Slovakia can expect to see pilot broadcasts in HD this year, according to Zsolt Nagy, strategy and business development director, Towercom.
In a wide-ranging presentation entitled The real impact of the new reallocating spectrum for terrestrial broadcasting, and subsequently speaking to Broadband TV News, he added this would be in order to prepare them for the many changes that lie ahead.
Towercom currently distributes just one HD channel and the pilot will take place on a new multiplex rather than the four currently operating in the country. It will be used to trial several other features, including interactive services and HEVC.
Nagy said that the second digital dividend (DD2) impact would be felt more keenly in Slovakia than most other EU countries.
Commenting on the WRC 15, he added that there were a number of outcomes on DD2, some of which should be looked at critically. For instance, the fixed term of DD2 frequencies release is June 2020, while the transfer of rights of use of DD2 spectrum will not take place until June 2022. What should be done between the two dates?
He also pointed out that the EU does not expect any budgetary implications for DD2.
Looking at technical solutions, Nagy said out that the transition to DVB-T2 is a forced process that will have a negative impact for customers.
He also said that Towercom’s priorities include the continuity and long –term sustainability of DTT and effective utilisation of existing infrastructure.
