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I m p l e m e n t i n g d i g i t a l T E R R E S T R I A LT E L E V I S I O N I NT H A I L A N D

THAILAND

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T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n D e v e l o p m e n t S e c t o r

ISBN 978-92-61-16061-6

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Implementing digital terrestrial television in Thailand

This report has been prepared by International Telecommunication Union (ITU) expert Peter Walop. The work on this report was carried out in the framework of a joint effort between ITU and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) of Thailand on the implementation of digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB). ITU would like to thank the NBTC for their valuable input and support, as well as the Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning (MSIP), Republic of Korea in facilitating ITU for the implementation of the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting case study in Thailand.

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ITU 2015

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the prior written permission of ITU.

Implementing digital terrestrial television in Thailand

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Table of contents

Page

1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1

2 Television market in Thailand ............................................................................................ 4

2.1 Market structure ............................................................................................................... 4

2.2 Market shares ................................................................................................................... 7

2.2.1 Number of viewers and subscribers ...................................................................... 8

2.2.2 Revenues ................................................................................................................ 9

2.3 Terrestrial television networks ......................................................................................... 11

2.4 Regulatory framework ...................................................................................................... 13

2.4.1 Licensing framework .............................................................................................. 13

2.4.2 National Frequency Plan ........................................................................................ 14

3 Network licensing and deployment .................................................................................... 15

3.1 Network licensing ............................................................................................................. 15

3.1.1 Assigning licences ................................................................................................... 15

3.1.2 Reference offers ..................................................................................................... 16

3.2 Network deployment ........................................................................................................ 19

3.2.1 Multiplex loading scenarios ................................................................................... 19

3.2.2 Limits for site location differences ......................................................................... 22

3.3 Insights .............................................................................................................................. 24

4 Service licensing and auction.............................................................................................. 25

4.1 Auction lots ....................................................................................................................... 25

4.2 Auction design .................................................................................................................. 28

4.3 Auction results .................................................................................................................. 30

4.4 Insights .............................................................................................................................. 33

5 Network planning .............................................................................................................. 33

5.1 Planning context ............................................................................................................... 34

5.1.1 Planning parameters and targets ........................................................................... 34

5.1.2 Planning approach ................................................................................................. 37

5.2 Overview of planning results ............................................................................................ 38

5.3 Practical planning guidelines ............................................................................................ 41

5.3.1 Pragmatic limits on applied powers ....................................................................... 41

5.3.2 Framework for accepting ATV interference ........................................................... 43

5.4 Insights .............................................................................................................................. 44

6 DSO planning and communications .................................................................................... 45

6.1 DSO planning .................................................................................................................... 45

6.1.2 DSO and ASO scenarios .......................................................................................... 45

6.1.3 Detailed simulcast analysis .................................................................................... 47

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6.1 DSO communications ........................................................................................................ 49

6.1.1 DSO communications framework .......................................................................... 49

6.2.2 DSO communication phases .................................................................................. 53

6.2.3 DSO communication tools ..................................................................................... 55

6.3 Insights .............................................................................................................................. 58

Annex A: LRIC model ................................................................................................................... 59

Annex B: Detailed planning parameters ....................................................................................... 61

Annex C: Frequency plan overview ............................................................................................... 62

Annex D: Receiver specifications .................................................................................................. 67

Implementing digital terrestrial television in Thailand

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1 Introduction

Considering the advantages of digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB) ITU has undertaken several activities towards promoting the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. Next to its regular spectrum management duties ITU is also providing assistance to National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) in the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.

As a first step in providing assistance ITU has developed guidelines for the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. The first edition of the ITU Guidelines was published in May 2010. Subsequent updates were published in October 2012 and January 20141. In a further effort to help countries to switch over to DTTB, ITU has selected a number of countries to assist in the development of a national roadmap for the digital switch-over (DSO) process.

Thailand roadmap

Thailand is one of the beneficiary countries for assistance and a roadmap was jointly developed by a team of ITU experts and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission in Thailand (NBTC)2. This work was carried out in September and October 2012. Following the development of this roadmap, the NBTC and ITU entered into an agreement to jointly implement this roadmap in December 2012.

The Thailand roadmap is divided in four phases: (phase 1) DTTB policy development; (phase 2) Licensing policy and regulation; (phase 3) Planning and execute auctions and tenders; and (phase 4) DSO communications and supervision. At the end of December 2013 the auction of the service licences took place. This auction marked the final milestone of roadmap phase 3.

After this service licence assignment to the commercial broadcasters, the broad