TDF and France Télévisions have come together to offer a potential future for the terrestrial broadcast platform, Television Numérique Terrestre (TNT).
They’ve launched two major experiments during the 2023 French Open tennis tournament, which reaches its conclusion this weekend.
A UHD quality broadcast of the tournament has been made available in Paris, Toulouse, and Nantes on three dedicated channels, allowing viewers to experience the sporting event in 4K. At the request of France Télévisions, TDF is implementing UHD 4K and DVB-T2.
An experimental 5G broadcast is being made from the Eiffel Tower, with mobile reception tests conducted within the tournament venue, for a possible mobile version of TNT.
Karim El Naggar, CEO of TDF’s Audiovisual and Network Business Unit, said: “TNT is a free television broadcasting mode for viewers, more environmentally friendly, and easily accessible for everyone throughout France. It is also a technology of the future around which TDF is constantly innovating. The experimentation we are conducting in partnership with France Télévisions demonstrates TNT’s modernity.”
The tests, led by TDF in partnership with France Télévisions and with the support of Ateme, Qualcomm, and Rohde & Schwarz, looks to a future “mobile” terrestrial that will allow viewers to watch linear television on their smartphones, outdoors and live.
The trial became possible after TDF obtained authorisation from the Autorité de Régulation de la Communication Audiovisuelle et Numérique (ARCOM) to experiment with the broadcasting of France Télévisions’ audiovisual content using 5G “Broadcast” technology from the Eiffel Tower. The innovation enables the reception of TNT outdoors, meaning from a 5G Broadcast compatible smartphone, without the need for a mobile phone subscription or Wi-Fi.
It offers low latency and consistent signal bitrate to ensure a comfortable and high-quality television viewing experience. Mobile TNT would sit alongside traditional TNT within the frequency plan managed, planned, and allocated by ARCOM.
