Full transition to terrestrial digital broadcasting

in Japan

November 2011Information and Communications Bureau,

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

１ Full migration to digital terrestrial broadcasting in Japan

① Digital technology enables more effective use of a spectrum

② Japanese broadcast systems are among the most technologically advanced in the world

I Introduction of digital terrestrial broadcasting in Japan

II Key points

◎ Collaboration between broadcasters, manufacturers, government and other relevant parties

① Promoting uptake of digital receivers via schemes such as the Eco point program

② Addressing reception issues, such as building shadows and recent interference problems

③ Providing support strategies, such as advice lines and financial assistance to help low-income households acquire digital receivers

1

Promotes safety and convenience in society(more effective use of free spectrum)

Boosts user convenience and enjoyment(more advanced broadcast services)

Picture clarity is around five times better than analog

The vivid picture clarity of HiVision is particularly noticeable on sports broadcasts and programs featuring scenic views

Datacasting can be used to provide information in real time

Using a remote control,

updates.

Using a remote control, viewers can access the latest information, such as weather reports, news and sports updates.

Access to broadcast services for elderly people and people with hearing difficulties

(subtitling provided as standard)

Can record up to one week’s worth of programs with a single button

(electronic program guide (EPG))

Excellent picture quality from mobile reception, even in transit

(one-seg mobile reception)

Digital television broadcasting uses about 30% less spectrum than analog→ Frees up the spectrum for other services

Encourages expansion of mobile phone services

Provides much-needed additional frequencies that can be used to develop better mobile phone services

Encourages development of new broadcast services

Mobile multimedia broadcasting services that provide access to TV programming anywhere, anytime

Reducing road accidents(vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems

designed to prevent simple collisions)

Disaster response and first-aid services(seamless video and data transfer during

disaster response and first aid operations)

歩きながら…

電車の中でスポーツ観戦…いつでも

どこでも

1 0 1 1 0 ･ ･ ･

1 0 1 1 0 ･ ･ ･

携帯端末向けモバイル番組

災害情報 ニュース

携帯端末向けモバイル番組

災害情報 ニュース

１－１① Benefits of digital broadcast technology

Programs for mobile devices

Disaster updates

News

Watching a sports event on the train…

Out and about…

Anywhere, anytime

2

１－１② Digitization of Terrestrial Television Broadcasting: Major Developments

Oct.1998 Government announces plan for digitization of terrestrial broadcasting（Report by the Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Council)

Jul. 2001 After the revision of the Radio Act (formulated on June 8), it was decidedthat July 24, 2011, would mark the end of analog broadcasting and thedigitization of terrestrial broadcasting

Dec. 1, 2003 Start of terrestrial digital broadcasting in the three major metropolitan areas

Apr. 1, 2006 Start of one-segment broadcasting service

Dec. 1, 2006 Start of terrestrial broadcasting in all prefectures

Jul. 22, 2011 Extended the deadline of Analog broadcasting until March 31, 2012 in 3 Tohoku Prefecture(Iwate,Miyagi,Fukushima)

Jul. 24, 2011 Termination of analog broadcasting

3

１－１③ Schedule for Digitization

December 2003Start of digital broadcasting

▼

1. Schedule in Japan

Digital broadcasting

Analog broadcasting ▼July 24, 2011End of analog broadcasting

2. Schedule in other countries (end of analog broadcasting)

Already ended: Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, United States, Denmark, Norway, Spain

2011: Canada, France2012: United Kingdom, Korea Etc.

4

90-108MHz（1-3ch）

170-222MHz（4-12ch）

470-770MHz（13-62ch）

Analog TVbroadcasting

Analog TV broadcasting

Analog & digitalTV broadcasting

【In and after 2011 】Allocation for TV

Broadcasting—a total bandwidth of 240 MHz

【Current state of frequency utilization 】

Allocation for TV broadcasting- a total bandwidth of 370 MHz

-New developments in broadcasting

（multimedia broadcasting）-Application for disaster control,

etc.（1-12ch）

-Improvement of mobilephone service

-Realization of a societywith safer road transport

(ITS)（53-62ch）

Digital TV broadcasting

（13-52ch）

70MHz bandwidth 60MHz bandwidth

90 108 170 222 710 770

１－１④ Effective Use of Radio Frequencies in Japan

240MHz bandwidth

5

Expansion of new broadcasting

Multimedia broadcasting

Utilization in disaster prevention, etc.

Realization of a safer road traffic society (ITS)

Enhancement of mobile phone services

Realize new broadcasting that provides various kinds of information to mobile terminals

• Make it possible to watch television “whenever and wherever”

• Possible to definitely receive disaster information even during disasters

• Possible to provide detailed local information

Broadband mobile communications system necessary for realizing a safe and secure society

• Visual information of accident and disaster sites(Disaster areas and evacuation centers ⇔

headquarters for disaster control)

• Image information and data related to the condition of emergency patients(Emergency vehicles, actual sites ⇔

hospitals, physicians)

• Information and data necessary for giving commands for on-site responses(Headquarters for disaster control ⇔

actual site, vehicles)

Secure radio waves for accident prevention systems right before they occur

• Avoid collision accidents at intersections with poor visibility

(Communication between vehicles)

• Avoid rear-end accidents based on provision of information from roadside communication devices, etc.

(Communication between the road and vehicles)

Based on the above, prevent traffic accidents before they occur

Aim at the institutionalization by ITS world congress of October, 2013.

Support the radio-wave needs of mobile phones, which continue to increase

• Even more people can use mobile phones

• Advanced functions, such as transmission of large amounts of data, can be realized

Based on the above, use of mobile phones is even more convenient

More convenient and safer in life

Notification based on a

warningbuzzer

１－１⑤ Realization of New Services That Use Radio Waves

Fire-fighting / First aid

Disaster counter-measures, etc.

Maintenance of security

Directive bureau

Directive bureau

Directive bureau

Control center

歩きながら…

電車の中でスポーツ観戦…いつでも

どこでも

1 0 1 1 0 ･ ･ ･

1 0 1 1 0 ･ ･ ･

携帯端末向けモバイル番組

災害情報 ニュース

携帯端末向けモバイル番組

災害情報 ニュース

Whenever, wherever

Mobile programs for mobile terminals

Disaster information

News

Watch sports in trains…

While walking…

6

１－２① Digital Terrestrial TV Broadcasting standards in the world

ISDB-T(Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting - Terrestrial)

ATSC(Advanced Television Systems Committee)

DVB-T/T2(Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial/Terrestrial2)

DTMB(Digital Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcast)

Japan (ISDB-T)(Launched in Dec. 2003)

Peru (ISDB-T）(Adopted in Apr. 2009)(Launched in Mar.2010)

Costa Rica (ISDB-T)(Adopted in May. 2010)

Chile (ISDB-T)(Adopted in Sep. 2009)

Ecuador (ISDB-T)(Adopted in Mar. 2010)

Venezuela (ISDB-T)(Adopted in Oct. 2009)

Argentina (ISDB-T)(Adopted in Aug. 2009)(Launched in Apr.2010)

Philippines (ISDB-T)(Adopted in Jun. 2010)

As of Oct. 2011

Bolivia (ISDB-T)(Adopted in Jul. 2010)

Paraguay (ISDB-T)(Adopted in Jun. 2010)(Launched in Aug.2011)

Uruguay (ISDB-T)(Adopted in Dec. 2010)

Brazil (ISDB-T)(Adopted in Jun. 2006)(Launched in Dec.2007)

Republic of Maldives(Adopted in Oct. 2011)

(state-owned broadcaster)

7

System

Characteristics

Japan(ISDB-T)

EU(DVB-T)

USA(ATSC)

Transmission System

Fixed TV + Mobile TV with one transmitter

by one Bandwidth

In serviceNot available

(Need additional Transmitter for Mobile TV)

→Double investment

Not available(Need additional Transmitter for

Mobile TV)→Double investment

High Robustness

against noiseExcellent

Well experiencedMedium Poor

Emergency Warning

Broadcasting System

In service Not In service Not In service

Royalty of Middle-ware Free Charged No info

Bandwidth

For fixed TV

For mobile TV

Frequency

１－２② Comparison among Digital TV systems

Multi-Carrier

Single-Carrier

Bandwidth

Multi-Carrier

Bandwidth

8

１－２③ Japanese Standard Has Various Attractive capabilities !!

HDTV Interactive TV

High quality imageand sound service

Mobile TV Service

Data Broadcasting

Useful data information anytime

Emergency WarningBroadcasting System

Warning 　signals

EvacuationInstructionsEvacuationInstructions

Emergency

Emergency Warning!

Emergency

People receive an Emergency Warning in case of disasters anytime anywhere.

DataSDTV Multi-program Service

Realization of multi-SDTV program service in 1ch bandwidth

Communication services linked to TV

High Robustness with Time Interleaving

Time interleave technology realizes high robustness against noise.

Both HDTV/SD multi TV and mobile TV can be broadcasted in 1 CH bandwidth with 1 transmitter

1CH bandwidth

One transmitter

One CH bandwidth

Japanese Standard Only

! !

9

２ Point of digitization

【Biggest Point】

○ Collaboration between broadcasters, manufacturers, government and other relevant parties

【 Three points to facilitate the digitization】

① Promoting uptake of digital receivers via schemes such as Eco points

② Addressing reception issues such as building shadows and recent interference problems

③ Providing support strategies such as advice lines and financial assistance to help low-income households acquire digital receivers

10

Name

National Conference for the Promotion of Terrestrial

Digital

National Council for the Promotion of Terrestrial

Digital Broadcasting

The Association for Promotion of Digital Broadcasting (Dpa)

Founded May 2003 July 2001 April 2007

Members

NHK127 commercial television broadcasters Representatives from broadcasting industry groups, manufacturers, retailers, consumer groups, local government, economic groups, media, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

NHK127 commercial television broadcastersMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications

NHK127 commercial television broadcastersDigital receiver manufacturersetc..

Role

The conference, made up of leading representatives from a variety of fields, is charged with promoting broad-based public-driven initiatives designed to boost the uptake of terrestrial digital broadcasting services

The council, made up of broadcasters and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, deliberates on issues (mainly for broadcasters) related to the switch to digital

Dpa consists mainly of broadcasters and manufacturers and is involved in initiatives designed to facilitate the transition from analog to digital broadcasting by promoting the uptake of terrestrial digital broadcasting and BS digital broadcasting, as well as associated work

２－１① Role of terrestrial digital broadcasting industry groups 11

２－１② Screen transition toward ASO in Japan (after 7/1)

From 1st of July to 24 of July

Periodical shows ASO information screen

After noon on 24th of JulyShift to blue‐backed ASO information screen

(ASO by 24 o’clock of 24th of July)

25th July～

Countdown information

XX days by ASO

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04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11０

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４

６

８

2003

１

３

５

７

９

１０

１１

２－２① Targets and Actual State of Penetration of Receivers that Support Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting

Switch offof analog

０

１

２

３

４

５

2003 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11

Survey results90.3％

(Sept. 2010)

Penetration target91%

(Sept. 2010)

Targets and actual results for number of receivers

Targets and actual results for number of households

Num

ber o

f hou

seho

lds

(tens

of m

illion

hou

seho

lds)

Year

Survey results

94.9%(Dec. 2010)

Penetration target96%

(Dec. 2010)

Actual number of receivers

117,320,000receivers(May. 2011)

Penetration target95,900,000 receivers

(May. 2011)

Switch offof analog

Year

Num

ber o

f rec

eive

rs (t

ens

of m

illion

s of

rece

iver

s)

Areas in which direct reception is possibleAwareness of timing of switch off of analog

(March 2007) 60.4%

(March 2008) 64.7%

(March 2009) 89.6%

(March. 2010) 91.3%

(December 2010) 92.8%

(Dec. 2003) Approx. 25% of all households

(Dec. 2006) Approx. 84% of all households

(Dec. 2008) Approx. 96% of all households

(Dec. 2010) Approx. 98% of all households

(Source) ・ The households penetration rate and awareness of timing of switch off to analog are based on Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications “Penetration Survey Concerning Terrestrial Digital Television Broadcasting” (December 2010)

・ The number of receivers is based on research by JEITA and Japan Cable Laboratories at the end of September 2010.

Total shipment amount of special receivers

Shipment amount of mobile phones that support one-segment (April 2011) 114,660,000 units

Shipment amount of in-car terrestrial digital broadcasting receivers (May 2011)

6,640,000 units

13

97.8%97.4%97.3%97.2%97.1%96.9%96.8%96.8%

96.7%96.7%96.4%96.3%96.1%96.0%95.6%95.5%95.5%95.5%95.4%95.3%95.3%95.1%95.1%95.1%94.9%94.8%94.7%94.7%94.4%94.1%93.9%93.8%93.7%93.6%93.6%93.4%93.3%92.3%92.2%92.2%91.8%91.6%91.4%90.8%90.7%89.9%88.9%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Mie

Gifu

Nigata

Chiba

Oita

Miyazaki

Wakayam

aAichi

Yamanashi

Hyou

goFukuoka

Tochigi

Toyama

Yamaguchi

Nara

Kagawa

Tottori

Kumam

oto

Tokyo

Kyoto

Nagano

Saita

ma

Akita

Hiroshim

aShizu

oka

Yamagata

Fukui

Kanagawa

Shiga

Okayama

Hukushim

aKo

chi

Gun

ma

Osaka

Ehim

eSaga

Iwate

Kagoshim

aHo

kkaido

Ibaraki

Nagasaki

Shim

ane

Tokushim

aAo

mori

Miyagi

Ishikawa

Okinawa

8.9 point

(Note) As this data is statistical data, there are expected to be differences to some extent. The rough standard for this difference is approximately ±3 to 8% in accordance with the sample number.

２－２② Households Penetration Rate of Terrestrial Digital Receivers (Dec. 2010 Penetration Survey) – By Prefecture – 14

129.6%147.1%163.5%174.2%

320.5%

505.3%

65.3%84.6%

110.6% 92.6%

146.2%180.2%

0.0%

50.0%

100.0%

150.0%

200.0%

250.0%

300.0%

350.0%

400.0%

450.0%

500.0%

６月 ７月 ８月 ９月 １０月 １１月 １２月 １月 ２月 ３月 ４月 ５月

２－２③ Purchasing Support for Digital Televisions Based on Use of the households Appliance Eco-Point System

• In order to switch off analog broadcasting as planned in July 2011, purchasing support for digital televisions was carried out by making use of the eco-point system from May 2009 to March 2011.

• For smooth implementation of the program the number of points was reduced by half from December 1 last year. And only replacement products with a five-star rating are eligible as of January 1 this year (discontinued recycling points).

• Purchase deadline is end of March 2011 and point application deadline is end of May 2011. The deadline to redeem Eco-points is March 2012.

Shifts in Actual Shipments of Terrestrial Digital TVs in Japan (JETIA statistics)

■ Jun. 2010 to May. 2011

(Note): The top row represents the shipment amount and the bottom represents the year-on-year change

5% of product purchase price + Recycling cost

For TVs only, 5% added

TVs that support terrestrial digital broadcasting

Purchase of products with a uniform energy-saving rating of 5☆(product with a 4☆ rating or more until last year)

46 V or higher 17,000 (Until Nov 2010 ¥36,000)42 V, 40 V 11,000 ( 〃 ¥23,000)37 V 8,000 ( 〃 ¥17,000)32 V, 26 V 6,000 ( 〃 ¥12,000)Less than 26 V 4,000 ( 〃 ¥ 7,000)

Limit to recycling (replacing)(Was not limited to recycling (replacing) until last year)

-(If recycling (replacing) until last year +¥3,000)

<Example of number of eco-points (TVs that support terrestrial digital broadcasting)>

Global warming countermeasures(CO2 reductions)

Economic measures (Economic stimulation)

Penetration of TVs that support terrestrial

digital broadcasting

Penetration of “green” households appliances through utilizing eco-points

Air conditioners Refrigerators TVs that support terrestrial digital broadcasting

Eco-points

＋

Shifts in Number of Flat-Screen TVs Sold and Year-on-Year Changes(BCN statistics)

Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May

1,622,000(148.3%)

1,640,000(139.0%)

1,710,000(167.1%)

2,185,000(192.1%)

2,833,000(244.6%)

3,961,000(260.0%)

3,874,000(162.0%)

1,439,000(129.4%)

1,622,000(116.6%)

2,153,000(97.1%)

1,719,000(124.4%)

1,611,000(128.1%)

Jun.

Jul.

Aug

.

Sep

t.

Oct

.

Nov

.

Dec

.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar

.

Apr

.

May

.

■ Jun. 2010 to May. 2011

15

(4) Direct reception

(2) Shared audio and video reception equipment for housing complexes

(3) Shared audio and video reception equipment as a measure against poor reception (behind buildings, etc.)

- Coordination among relevant parties

(1) Remote area audio and video reception equipment

・Upgrades for digitization by CATV company

(5) Cable television

(Digital reception possible / Remove some equipment)

(Difficulty in watching digital broadcasts / Leave as is, upgrade required)

* The number of households overlap as “housing complexes” that receive broadcasts include those based on “green TVs.” The number of households with direct reception is an estimated value.

２－３① Support of Digitization by Viewing Pattern

Installation of digital receivers

(Approx. 23,200,000 households)

Approx. 2,140,000 facilities (Approx. 20,700,000 households) Approx. 89,000 facilities

(Approx. 8,300,000 households)

Approx. 20,000 facilities (Approx. 1,400,000 households)

(Approx. 25,700,000 households)

Upgrade of wiring equipment, etc.

Addition of UHF antenna, etc.

Upgrade of wiring equipment, etc.

Addition of UHF antenna, etc. Upgrade of facilities

Relocation of antenna

Upgrade of equipment

Equipment that is installed in areas with poor reception due to airwaves being blocked by structures such as buildings, as a measure against poor reception by the owner of the applicable building, etc.

Equipment that is installed for the purpose of distributing airwaves to each unit by constructing a community antenna that receives airwaves on the roof of a housing complex

Equipment that is installed in areas where airwaves are blocked due to mountains and hills, as a measure to resolve difficulties in viewing broadcasts

Addition of UHF antenna, etc.

Upgrade of headend, etc.

- Consensus formation regarding upgrade by resident management cooperatives

Antenna for terrestrial analog broadcasting

On-premise equipment

households boosterDigital tuner

Analog TV

Digital TV

Distributor

On-premise equipment Television

terminal

Television terminal

Addition of UHF antenna, etc.

16

２－３② Countermeasures for Cliff Effect

There are some areas where digital TV cannot be watched, while Analog TV can barely be watched, due to the new type of poor reception.

Digital TV broadcasting has the characteristics that received power level weakens rapidly in the poor electric field area due to the terrain, the “Cliff effect”.

There are some areas where digital TV cannot be watched, while Analog TV can barely be watched.

High ---- Electric field level ---- Low Cliff effect image

Digital TV

Analog TV

High ---- Electric field level ---- Low

High ---- Electric field level ---- Low

AnalogD

igital

Reception condition

Low (due to the terrain)

Analog : reception OKDigital : reception OK

Analog : reception OK (barely)Digital : reception NG

Goo

d --

Imag

e qu

ality

--P

oor

17

２-４① “DigiSuppo” (MIC DTV Support Center)

②Support the digitalization of facilities （facilities hidden behind a building, apartment buildings )

④To senior citizens and Publicity

①Consultation and Survey of reception

③Measures for reception improvement against cliff effect

（newly arose watching difficulties, digital interference, repack）

○Toward the full transition to the digital terrestrial TV broadcasting, a total of 51 support offices have been set up at the prefecture level to promote digitalization.     

Telephone consultation service○Technical consultation that meets the local needs

Field consultation（survey of reception)

○Survey of reception by individual consultation

○Reception error, watching difficulties,

Survey of reception for special cases

Consultation and support

○Support for the households to solve their watching difficulties

Offer a subsidy

○(newly arose watching difficulties)

High performance antenna, promote the building of new common receiving facilities

○(digital interference, repack)renovation by restructuring

Administrator of building and management company

Offer a subsidy

○promote digitalization for facilities hidden behind a building and apartment buildings.

○ promote reception at the households level in places hidden behind buildings

○comprehensive consulting and legal consultation by a lawyer to support digitalization for families

To senior citizens○Door-to-door visit by local electric goods stores

○Temporary Q&A sections for digital TV (from June)

○Holding consultation meeting by request

Publicity

○newspapers and local papers

○brochures and posters

Total 51 offices at the prefecture level

Transmitter（Interference）

（Behind the mountains）

Relay station

18

２－４② Digital Terrestrial TV Tuner Support for low-income households

Ⅰ．Support for the families exempted from the entire NHK reception fee (budget for fiscal 2009, 2010, 2011

Analog TV

ＵＨＦantenna ＋setting up

Tuner＋manual

Support center

Visit・setting up

Ⅱ Support for residential tax-exempt households (except families covered in I)(supplemental budget for fiscal 2010, budget for fisical 2011)

Analog TV

Sending tuner

Support center

Telephone support

【To】households that have not shifted to digital and are

exempted from entire NHK reception fee that meet the following requirements ;

○ households on a welfare benefit

○ Residential tax-exempt households including a person with a disability person

○ households living in social welfare facilities

○ households subject to Disaster Relief Law*start accepting from 13 May, 2011

【Support】Free simple tuners (set up by visit)

＋（if necessary）antenna renovation

【To】households that have not shifted to digital and for

which residential tax of all the family members are exempted. (except families covered in I) 【Support】

Free simple tuner ＋ telephone support

19

“DigiSuppo”(MIC DTV Support Center) supports each activities above

・operate nationwide from January 2011(400 thousand volunteers in June 2011)・Cooperation from groups such as: boy scouts, mothers club, municipal groups, volunteer groups, social workers ）・promotion for digitalization, hand out leaflets・convenience stores（LAWSON, approx.8,600 stores）also helps・introducing digital TV support office 

People who haven’t switched to digitalization like elderly people

and disabled people

Temporary Q&A counter for digital TV ・From 15 May to 26 August (for 2 months)・1,600 locations around Japan (set up at local government 

office, etc.) ・individual face‐to‐face consultations (800 locations) and 

introduction of MIC digital TV support center and retail shop,etc.

※ When there is a special inquiry for volunteers and Temporary Q&A counter for digital TV, it will be conveyed it to MIC Digital TV support center for the answer.

Door-to-door visit by digital TV supporters ‐20,000 “digital TV supporters” consisted of local electric goods shops and cable TV operators support the switch to digital‐They visited 1.9 million households in 2009 and 2010 

Digital terrestrial TV call center

・Strengthen the consultation system for accepting the increasing call volume・185 operators（December,2010）→370 (June,2011）→Maximum 1,200 operators（July,2011） (operated 24 

hours from late July) →200 operators(August,2011)(weekdays 9:00‐21:00,weekends and holidays 9:00‐18:00)

Digital terrestrial TV volunteer activity

２－４③ Final support system for elderly households that have not shifted to digital

※Cooperation by local electric goods shops

20