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DIGITAL CHANNEL PLAN AND EXPLANATORY PAPER
Tasmania: Part 1 - Hobart
Hobart Digital Channels Decision 1
VHF channels are to be used for main station digital television services in Hobart. Six channels (VHF Band III - 7, 8, 9A, 10, 11 and 12) are allotted for digital television services in Hobart. The assignment of digital channels for the existing national and commercial television services in Hobart is to be made as follows: channel 7 to TVT 6, channel 8 to ABD 2, channel 9A to SBS 28, channel 10 to TNT 31.
The allotment of digital channels for existing commercial and national television local area transmitters in the Hobart region at Taroona, Acton Road, NE Suburbs, Rokeby and New Norfolk is not proposed at this time. The DCP will be varied and additional digital channels allotted if it is established that they are needed to satisfy the objective of achieving the same level of coverage and potential reception quality of the digital television services as is achieved by the same service in analog mode.
SUMMARY OF DECISIONS RELATING TO ANALOG CHANNEL CHANGES REQUIRED AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE DIGITAL CHANNEL PLAN FOR TASMANIA ­ PART 1 - HOBART
Bicheno Analog Channel Changes Decision A
UHF channels 51 and 54 are proposed to be allotted to Bicheno for use by the existing TVT channel 8 and ABT channel 10 analog television services. UHF channel 51 is proposed to be assigned to the existing TVT channel 8 analog commercial television service, and UHF channel 54 to the existing ABT channel 10 analog national television service.
Launceston Analog Channel Change Decision C
UHF channel 59 is proposed to be allotted to Launceston and assigned to the existing TNT channel 11 analog commercial television service.
Taroona Analog Channel Change Decision D
UHF channel 40 is proposed to be allotted to Taroona and assigned to the existing TVT channel 8 analog commercial television.
DIGITAL CHANNEL PLAN ­ Tasmania: Part 1 - Hobart
DETERMINATION The Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) hereby makes this determination of a digital channel plan for digital terrestrial television broadcasting services for Tasmania: Part 1 - Hobart. The channels to be allotted for digital television services for Tasmania: Part 1 - Hobart and the technical specifications for each digital television channel are set out in this Determination. This digital channel plan is made under section 12 of the Commercial Television Conversion Scheme determined by the ABA on 22 March 1999.
(Determined by the Australian Broadcasting Authority on 7 October 1999)
Note: The digital channel plan explains whether the use of a particular channel depends on any known event or circumstance
SCHEDULE ONE Digital Channel Plan ­ Tasmania: Part 1 - Hobart ­ October 1999
Licence Area : HOBART TV1
Service Category Commercial Digital TV National ­ Digital TV National ­ Digital TV Commercial Digital TV Unassigned Unassigned
Proposed Assignee TVT 6 ABC 2 SBS 28 TNT 31 -
Ch. Max ERP 7
ERP Restrictions 100 W 100 W 10 kW 100 W 1 kW N/A
Service Technical Attach- Area Licence Specification ment Served No. No. No. SL132 N/A N/A SL133 N/A N/A TS10009361 TS10009364 TS10009365 TS10009371 TS10009377 TS10009378 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Hobart Hobart Hobart Hobart Hobart Hobart
channel which depends on analog transmission and reception issues being adequately addressed by the proposed assignee. (See
Note 1: The restricted ERP value is based upon calculations performed using the information contained within the &quot;Nominal Transmitter Site Information&quot; section of the Technical Specifications. Further details about the restrictions that apply are included in the individual technical specifications. Note 2: The information contained within the Technical Specification section titled &quot;Nominal Transmitter Site Information&quot; reflects the data used in preparing the Digital Channel Plan (DCP). This information is a guide only, may be varied by the ABA and transmitter licence specifications need not be identical. Broadcasters also may request changes in their Implementation Plan(s). Note 3: The use of some channels shown in the DCP may depend on analog transmission and reception issues being adequately addressed by the licensee proposed to be assigned the digital channel (digital licensee). These channels are identified in the above schedule and the relevant DCP technical specification by the symbol `'. Where use of a particular digital channel is likely to cause interference, a note on restrictions on use also appears in the technical specification for that channel. Some DCPs have been planned on the assumption that modification of existing analog transmissions will have been agreed, by all the parties affected, before the digital channel commences full operation. Where necessary, the ABA expects that a digital licensee will compensate other broadcasters for expenses incurred as a result of the changes made to existing analog transmissions. The digital licensee may have to bear the reasonable costs associated with changes to existing analog transmissions, for instance, the cost of installing new analog transmission facilities and providing assistance to viewers with any necessary resultant re-tuning of domestic TV receivers or changes to domestic
Schedule One DCP ­ Tasmania: Part 1 ­ Hobart ­ October 1999
receive antennas. These changes may be necessary to ensure continued analog reception during the simulcast period. With regard to any or all of the above considerations, the ABA has the power to impose on a broadcaster's television broadcasting licence and/or its transmitter licence(s) so as to require a licensee to discharge its responsibilities. In considering whether to impose any such conditions, the ABA also would have regard to any agreements reached between broadcasters about such matters and any undertakings made to the ABA.
Attachment 1.1 DIGITAL CHANNEL PLAN: Tasmania: Part 1 - October 1999 Category : General Area Served : Proposed Assignee : Commercial - Digital TV Hobart (TAS) TVT 6
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - Digital Television Specification Number : TS10009361
Nominal Transmitter Site Information :Nominal location : Australian Map Grid Reference : Nominal antenna height : Emission :Frequency Band &amp; Mode : Centre Frequency : Polarisation : VHF Band III - TV 184.5 MHz (Ch.7)  Horizontal WIN Television Tower MT WELLINGTON Zone 55 58 m Easting 519174 Northing 5250651
Output Radiation Pattern :Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) At all angles of azimuth Special Conditions: The use of this channel depends upon measures being taken to ensure that unacceptable interference is not caused to reception of analog television services including: Taroona TVT 8. Until such measures are taken with respect to Taroona, the maximum ERP is not to exceed 100 W. Maximum ERP
Attachment 1.2 DIGITAL CHANNEL PLAN: Tasmania: Part 1 - October 1999 Category : General Area Served : Proposed Assignee : National - Digital TV Hobart (TAS) ABT 2
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - Digital Television Specification Number : TS10009364
Nominal Transmitter Site Information :Nominal location : Australian Map Grid Reference : Nominal antenna height : Emission :Frequency Band &amp; Mode : Centre Frequency : Polarisation : Output Radiation Pattern :Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) At all angles of azimuth Special Condition: The use of this channel depends upon measures being taken to ensure that unacceptable interference is not caused to reception of analog television services including: Bicheno TVT 8 and Taroona TVT 8. Until such measures are taken with respect to Bicheno and Taroona, the maximum ERP is not to exceed 100 W. Maximum ERP VHF Band III - TV 191.5 MHz (Ch.8)  Horizontal NTL Tower MT WELLINGTON Zone 55 84 m Easting 519185 Northing 5250351
Attachment 1.3 DIGITAL CHANNEL PLAN: Tasmania: Part 1 - October 1999 Category : General Area Served : Proposed Assignee : National - Digital TV Hobart (TAS) SBS 28
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - Digital Television Specification Number : TS10009365
Nominal Transmitter Site Information :Nominal location : Australian Map Grid Reference : Nominal antenna height : Emission :Frequency Band &amp; Mode : Centre Frequency : Polarisation : Output Radiation Pattern :Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) At all angles of azimuth Special Condition: The use of this channel depends upon measures being taken to ensure that unacceptable interference is not caused to reception of analog television services including: Bicheno ABT 10. Until such measures are taken with respect to Bicheno, the maximum ERP is not to exceed 10 kW. Maximum ERP VHF Band III - TV 205.5 MHz (Ch.9A)  Horizontal NTL Tower MT WELLINGTON Zone 55 84 m Easting 519185 Northing 5250351
Attachment 1.4 DIGITAL CHANNEL PLAN: Tasmania: Part 1 - October 1999 Category : General Area Served : Proposed Assignee : Commercial - Digital TV Hobart (TAS) TNT 31
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - Digital Television Specification Number : TS10009371
Nominal Transmitter Site Information :Nominal location : Australian Map Grid Reference : Nominal antenna height : Emission :Frequency Band &amp; Mode : Centre Frequency : Polarisation : Output Radiation Pattern :Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) At all angles of azimuth Special Condition: The use of this channel depends upon measures being taken to ensure that unacceptable interference is not caused to reception of analog television services including: Bicheno ABT 10. Until such measures are taken with respect to Bicheno, the maximum ERP is not to exceed 100 W. Maximum ERP VHF Band III - TV 212.5 MHz (Ch.10)  Horizontal NTL Tower MT WELLINGTON Zone 55 84 m Easting 519185 Northing 5250351
Attachment 1.5 DIGITAL CHANNEL PLAN: Tasmania: Part 1 - October 1999 Category : General Area Served : Proposed Assignee : Unassigned Hobart (TAS) Unassigned
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - Digital Television Specification Number : TS10009377
Nominal Transmitter Site Information :Nominal location : Australian Map Grid Reference : Nominal antenna height : Emission :Frequency Band &amp; Mode : Centre Frequency : Polarisation : Output Radiation Pattern :Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) At all angles of azimuth Special Condition: The use of this channel depends upon measures being taken to ensure that unacceptable interference is not caused to reception of analog television services including: Launceston TNT 11. Until such measures are taken with respect to Launceston, the maximum ERP is not to exceed 1 kW. Maximum ERP VHF Band III - TV 219.5 MHz (Ch.11)  Horizontal NTL Tower MT WELLINGTON Zone 55 84 m Easting 519185 Northing 5250351
Attachment 1.6 DIGITAL CHANNEL PLAN: Tasmania: Part 1 - October 1999 Category : General Area Served : Proposed Assignee : Unassigned Hobart (TAS) Unassigned
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - Digital Television Specification Number : TS10009378
Nominal Transmitter Site Information :Nominal location : Australian Map Grid Reference : Nominal antenna height : Emission :Frequency Band &amp; Mode : Centre Frequency : Polarisation : Output Radiation Pattern :Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) At all angles of azimuth Maximum ERP VHF Band III - TV 226.5 MHz (Ch.12) Horizontal NTL Tower MT WELLINGTON Zone 55 84 m Easting 519185 Northing 5250351
DCP: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - SPECIMEN ONLY
DIGITAL CHANNEL PLAN: Tasmania: Part 1 - October 1999 Category : General Area Served : Proposed Assignee : Commercial - Digital TV Hobart (TAS) SBS 28
Unique number given to each transmitter.
Geographical location of the nominal Transmitter Site including brief description of location and standard Australian Grid Map Reference.
Nominal Transmitter Site Information :Nominal Location : Australian Map Grid Reference : Nominal antenna height : WIN Television Tower MT WELLINGTON Zone 55 58 m Easting 51974 Northing 5250651
Nominal height of the electrical centre of the transmit antenna above
Emission :Frequency Band &amp; Mode : Centre Frequency : Polarisation : Output Radiation Pattern :Bearing or Sector (Clockwise direction) At all angles of azimuth Maximum ERP 50 kW
Broadcasting services band and mode of delivery.
VHF Band III - TV 184.5 MHz (Ch.7) Horizontal
Assigned frequency and channel of transmission.
Polarisation of radiowaves. Either vertical or horizontal to earth's surface. Maximum effective radiated power, a measure of the signal strength of the transmitted signal. For digital television the ERP is defined as the mean power, a measure of the average power transmitted over a sufficiently long interval of time. Directions on compass in which transmissions are emitted.
Explanatory Paper ­ Digital Channel Plan for Tasmania: Part 1 - Hobart ­ October 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 2 INTRODUCTION _________________________________________________ 1 BACKGROUND __________________________________________________ 3 2.1 Existing Analog Services _________________________________________ 3 2.2 Area of Digital Channel Plan______________________________________ 3 2.3 Consultation ___________________________________________________ 4 3 HOBART DIGITAL CHANNELS ___________________________________ 5 3.1 Digital Channel Plan ­ Hobart Area________________________________ 5
3.1.1 3.1.2 3.1.3 3.1.4 3.2.1 3.2.2 3.2.3 3.2.4 Broadcasting Services Bands to be used for Hobart digital television services _________ 5 Hobart Digital Channel Allotments __________________________________________ 7 Hobart Digital Channel Assignments _________________________________________ 9 Non-allotment of digital channels for existing Hobart local area transmitters _________ 10 Bicheno alternative analog channels - Allotment _______________________________ 11 Bicheno alternative analog channels - Assignment _____________________________ 12 Launceston alternative analog channel _______________________________________ 13 Taroona alternative analog channel _________________________________________ 13
3.2 Consequential Analog Changes___________________________________ 11
APPENDIX 1 ­ LIST OF SUBMISSIONS ________________________________ 1
This explanatory paper outlines the reasoning and assumptions behind the ABA's decision to allot channels for digital broadcasting, as shown in the accompanying Digital Channel Plan (DCP). This explanatory paper is to be read in conjunction with: · Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Planning Handbook - July 1999, which provides the technical guidelines for planning services; and The ABA's General Approach to Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Planning ­ July 1999 (the General Approach), which sets out the legislative framework and policy issues surrounding the digital channel planning process. Section 3 of this document includes a discussion of general issues raised in submissions on the draft DCPs.
The Television Broadcasting Services (Digital Conversion) Act 1998 requires licensees to commence digital transmissions in: metropolitan licence areas on 1 January 2001; and regional licence areas, on a date to be determined between 1 January 2001 and 1 January 2004.
The licensees in the regional market of Hobart propose to commence digital transmissions on 1 January 2001. The Discussion Paper and Draft Digital Channel Plan Tasmania: Part 1 - Hobart was released for comment on 5 May 1999, the closing date for submissions was 31 May 1999. A list of submissions received is at Appendix 1. Submissions received have been assessed against the planning parameters developed by the ABA and other criteria as outlined in the General Approach.
EXISTING ANALOG SERVICES
Existing analog channels used by television services in Hobart and neighbouring/affected areas:
Area Served VHF ERP 200 kW UHF ERP 1.3 MW Polarisation Pattern H VHF OD UHF DA DA DA DA Analog
2, 6, 28, 31, 34*, 40*
Taroona Acton Road NE Suburbs (Hobart) New Norfolk Maydena Strathgordon
380 W -
2 kW 20 W 6.4 kW
8, 11*, 40*, 43, 46, 49 52, 55, 58, 61, 64*, 67* 54, 57, 60, 63, 66*, 69*
6W 20 W
320 W 100 W 80 W
53, 56, 59, 62, 65*, 68* 8, 46, 49, 52*, 55*, 58 8, 43, 46, 49, 52*, 55*
North East Tasmania Bicheno Launceston
3, 9, 29, 32, 35, 41*, 44*
1 kW 50 W
600 W 2 kW
8, 10, 36*, 39*, 42*, 48 11, 53*, 56, 59, 62, 65, 68*
* Channels allotted in the analog Frequency Allotment Plan (FAP) but not licensed.
AREA OF DIGITAL CHANNEL PLAN
The DCP and this accompanying explanatory paper relate to the commercial television licence areas of the Hobart and south east Tasmania region served by the commercial television services ­ TVT and TNT. Commercial and national television services in this metropolitan market will be commencing digital transmissions on 1 January 2001.
Television broadcasters serving the remaining areas of the Tasmanian commercial television licence area are not required to commence digital transmissions on 1 January 2001, but on a date to be determined between 1 January 2001 and 1 January 2004. Accordingly, digital planning for the remaining areas of Tasmanian will be dealt with separately in future Parts to the DCP for Tasmania.
The Digital Television Channel Planning Consultative Group (DTCPCG) has contributed to the preparation of the Tasmanian channel-planning options for the ABA's consideration. Further information on the role of the DTCPCG is available in the General Approach. The DTCPCG created sub-groups to consider digital channel planning options for each area. The Hobart Digital Channel Planning Sub-group comprised representatives from the following organisations1: Government: · · · Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA); Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC); and the National Transmission Agency (NTA).
Industry: · · Southern Cross Television (TNT); and WIN Television Tasmania (TVT).
The Hobart Digital Channel Planning sub-group held one meeting on 16 March 1999 in Hobart.
The DTCPCG now includes representatives from Digital Convergence Australia (DCA), representing datacasting interests, and NTL Australia, the commercial operators of the national transmission network formerly run by the Commonwealth, through the NTA.
HOBART DIGITAL CHANNELS
DIGITAL CHANNEL PLAN ­ HOBART AREA
Broadcasting Services Bands to be used for Hobart digital television services
Decision 1 VHF channels are to be used for main station digital television services in Hobart. Reason: In the current Tasmanian analog television broadcasting environment, two main wide coverage sites provide coverage for the majority of the state: Mt Wellington, serving Hobart and the south-east of Tasmania; and Mt Barrow, serving the north-east of the state. At both sites, a combination of VHF and UHF analog services currently operate. Due to Tasmania's rugged terrain, a large number of low and medium-power additional transmitters provide infill and coverage extension for these main services. These local area transmitters operate on VHF Band III, UHF Band IV and UHF Band V channels. The two main sites will comprise the primary digital television infrastructure for Tasmania. Therefore, these two sites have been allotted the highest priority for digital channel capacity in Tasmania. Melbourne and North East Tasmania (Mt Barrow) analog television services currently operate with co-channel assignments (using precision frequency offsets). This co-channelling causes substantial intermittent interference to both services, due to ducting across Bass Strait. Given the `cliff-edge' failure characteristics of digital signals, such interference may at times completely prevent reception of digital signals. It is therefore vital to avoid co-channelling NE Tasmania with Victorian digital services, if at all practical. Due to the allotment of high power VHF digital television channels in Melbourne and the use of VHF channels for analog television services in Melbourne and regional Victoria, no VHF channels will be available to serve NE Tasmania as wide coverage digital services. Similarly, high-power UHF channels for digital television in Melbourne and regional Victorian markets will greatly constrain availability of wide coverage UHF channels in NE Tasmania. A submission received from GTV Victoria (GTV) agrees that Band III channels should not be used for NE Tasmania given the potential for co-channel interference between northern Tasmania and Melbourne. Distance and terrain allow assignments for wide coverage Hobart digital television channels to be made independently of assignments for Melbourne and Victoria, free of co-channel interference. However, wide coverage digital services for Hobart and NE Tasmania are unable to operate co-channelled. Therefore, any assignment of UHF channels for Hobart, ahead of the completion of digital television planning for the rest of Tasmania, will reduce the likelihood of finding sufficient channel capacity to meet the needs of NE Tasmania (Mt Barrow).
In order to meet the required timetable for the implementation of digital television in Hobart before planning for the rest of Tasmania, the most practical solution is to allot VHF channels. This allotment in Hobart will have no affect on UHF channel availability for NE Tasmania, and will allow a DCP to be determined for Hobart, independent of the rest of Tasmania. At its meeting on 16 March 1999, the Hobart DCP sub-group endorsed a predominantly VHF solution for digital television services in Hobart. At the DTCPCG meeting on 23 March 1999, there was general support for the primarily VHF proposal. It was noted that additional UHF capacity may be found for Hobart after completion of planning for the remainder of Tasmania. A submission received from Southern Cross Broadcasting (Southern Cross) agrees with the allocation of VHF channels for high power digital television services in Hobart. A submission received from NTL Australia (NTL) requests that an additional two UHF channels be made. However, NTL recognises that these channels may be required to accommodate northern Tasmania and local area transmitter requirements. Use of VHF Band III in Hobart, will allow broadcasters to use the existing VHF transmission infrastructure for digital conversion. In addition, a VHF Band III analog television service (TNT 6) has been operating in Hobart for decades, eliminating the need for viewers to change their existing antennas. It is possible however, that these Band III receive antennas may not be suitable for reception of channel 12. Evidence: Submissions addressing this issue were received from GTV2, Southern Cross3, and NTL4. At the DCP sub-group meeting in Hobart various accounts were given of intermittent interference between northern Tasmanian and Victoria analog television services. For example intermittent co-channel interference from a high powered Ballarat service (ABRV 11) causes total picture failure in the medium-powered analog TNT 11 service in Launceston for approximately five days a year. The ABA's detailed engineering assessment of television broadcasting spectrum potentially suitable for use in Hobart indicates that there is capacity for six high power VHF digital channels, provided a number of existing analog local area transmitters are re-assigned to alternative channels. The ABA's preliminary engineering assessment of channel capacity for NE Tasmania (Mt Barrow) shows significant constraints in channel allocation.
Submission No.: 99/6268 Submission No.: 99/6234 Submission No.: 99/6217
Hobart Digital Channel Allotments
Decision 2 Six channels are allotted for digital television services in Hobart. These channels are: Restricted ERPa VHF Band III channels 7 8 9A 10 11 12
Maximum ERPb 50 kW 50 kW 50 kW 50 kW 50 kW 50 kW
100 W 100 W 10 kW 100 W 1 kW -
Restricted ERP is the maximum possible to avoid interference to analog services during the simulcast period. Maximum ERP is the ERP that was assumed for the purpose of performing interference calculations (see section 3.2 of the DTTB Planning Handbook - July 1999).
Reason: Suitable VHF transmitting and receiving antennas are presently in place for the two existing analog VHF services operating from Mt Wellington. Six VHF Band III channels can be readily identified that will have minimal impact on capacity in the surrounding areas. Note: Allotment of channels 10 and 11 will be such that channel 9A will be available as a full 7 MHz channel. The channels will be 9A (202 - 209 MHz), 10 (209 - 216 MHz) and 11 (216 ­ 223 MHz). A submission received from Southern Cross recommended that the allotment of channels for digital television services in Hobart should be as set out in Decision 2 above. A submission received from NTL requests two additional channels be made available by allocating two channels from the three suggested UHF channels, 36, 36 and 38. However, the submission recognises that these channels may be needed to accommodate northern Tasmania and local area transmitter requirements.
Evidence: Submissions were received from NTL5 and Southern Cross6. An ABA engineering digital channel study indicates that allotment of channels 7 and 8 will cause interference to two TVT 8 analog commercial services, Taroona and Maydena. Allotment of channel 8 as a Hobart digital service may also cause co-channel interference to Strathgordon analog commercial TVT 8 service. Channels 7 and 8 therefore will be available for digital services in Hobart without ERP restrictions if the analog commercial service for Taroona moves to an alternative UHF channel. Analog services operating in Strathgordon and Maydena are low-powered and have good terrain protection from the main Mt Wellington site. Depending on its severity, the problem of interference may be resolved by an increase in power for the Maydena and Strathgordon analog local area transmitters. However, if interference is sufficiently severe then it may be necessary to move these services to UHF channels. Alternative channels for these two services, if required, will be identified during planning for the remainder of Tasmania. ABA engineering calculations indicate that operation of digital channels 8, 9A and 10 in Hobart will cause interference to the Bicheno analog commercial TVT 8 service and analog national service ABT 10. Therefore, these channels can only be used for digital services in Hobart without ERP restrictions if these Bicheno analog services move to UHF channels. A Hobart channel 11 digital service may interfere with a South Launceston commercial analog local area transmitter, TNT 11. Therefore, channel 11 can only be used for digital services in Hobart without ERP restrictions if the South Launceston TNT 11 service moves to a UHF channel. Launceston viewers already have UHF reception antennas, since all other Launceston services are on UHF channels; the broadcaster may also be able to share existing UHF facilities. Moving TNT 11 to UHF in South Launceston may also require the installation of an additional UHF analog transmitter at Hillwood, to provide comparable reception to the current VHF service.
Submission No.: 99/6217 Submission No.: 99/6234
Hobart Digital Channel Assignments
Decision 3 The assignment of digital channels for the existing national and commercial television services in Hobart is to be made as per the table below:
Area Served Hobart Analog /Digital Analog TVT 6 7 ABD 2 8 SBS 28 9A Analog channel assignments/ digital channel assignments TNT 31 10 Not assigned
Reason: The assignment of channels will take place as per the above table as part of the process of issuing apparatus licences under the Radiocommunications Act 1992. Channel assignments are in accordance with the ABA's Channel Assignment Guidelines. The reasoning underpinning these guidelines is set out in the explanatory paper contained within the General Approach. This decision is subject to public interest considerations and a satisfactory resolution between metropolitan and regional broadcasters regarding required consequential analog changes. A submission received from Southern Cross agrees with the assignment of channels for digital television services in Hobart as proposed in the draft DCP. Evidence: A submission was received from Southern Cross 7 on this issue.
Submission No.: 99/6234
Non-allotment of digital channels for existing Hobart local area transmitters
Decision 4 The allotment of digital channels for existing commercial and national television local area transmitters in the Hobart region at Taroona, Acton Road, NE Suburbs, Rokeby and New Norfolk is not proposed at this time. The DCP will be varied and additional digital channels allotted if it is established that they are needed to satisfy the objective of achieving the same level of coverage and potential reception quality of the digital television services as is achieved by the same service in analog mode. Reason: Southern Cross states in its submission that unless the local area transmitters serving Taroona (White Rock) can commence within a short period, the introduction of digital television services will be fragmented, resulting in public frustration. The ABA considers that there is insufficient empirical knowledge of digital coverage at this stage. As more knowledge becomes available through the use of test transmissions and further studies, the need for local area transmitters will be reviewed on a case by case basis. This approach is aimed at achieving maximum spectrum productivity. The ABA's Director of Technology is chairing a consultative group, based around membership of the DTCPCG, to further investigate the possibilities of single frequency network (SFN) technology. Both NTL and DCA have indicated that they will be conducting tests for SFNs. The work of this group is to take place in the second half of 1999. It is the ABA's intention to vary the DCP to add channels for local area transmitters if required, in late 1999 or early 2000, following the completion of this work. Evidence: A submission on this issue was received from Southern Cross8.
CONSEQUENTIAL ANALOG CHANGES
In preparing the DCP, the ABA has at all times given the interests of viewers a high priority. Although the changes to analog services in regional areas described below may have a significant impact on some viewers, the ABA believes that these changes are necessary, that they are in the best public interest, and will impact on fewer viewers than other possible alternatives. In considering channel planning issues in relation to this DCP, the ABA has noted that broadcasters, provisionally allocated particular digital channels, have been negotiating with the affected analog broadcasters over ways of resolving potential interference problems, including the provision of local area transmitters or changes to the frequencies and/or power levels of regional transmitters. These proposed changes to regional analog services are described in the sections following. Where use of a particular digital channel is likely to cause interference, a note on restrictions for that channel's use will appear in the technical specification. Some channels in the DCP have been planned on the assumption that modification of existing analog transmissions will have been agreed, by all the parties affected, before the digital channel commences full operation. Where necessary, the ABA expects that a digital licensee will compensate other broadcasters for expenses incurred as a result of the changes made to existing analog transmissions. The use of some channels shown in the DCP may depend on the digital licensee taking responsibility for public interest considerations caused by changes to existing analog transmissions. Use of the digital channel may depend on these analog transmission and reception issues being adequately addressed by a licensee in its Implementation Plan(s). This may involve licensees bearing some or all of the cost of installing new analog transmission facilities and providing assistance to viewers with any necessary consequential re-tuning of domestic TV receivers or changes to domestic receive antennas. This would be necessary to overcome interference caused by the new digital service and to ensure continued analog reception during the simulcast period. With regard to any or all of the above considerations, the ABA has the power to impose conditions on a broadcaster's television broadcasting licence and/or its transmitter licence(s) so as to require a licensee to discharge its responsibilities. In considering whether to impose any such conditions, the ABA also would have regard to any agreements reached between broadcasters about such matters and any undertakings made to the ABA. 3.2.1 Bicheno alternative analog channels - Allotment
Decision A Two UHF channels are proposed to be allotted to Bicheno for use by the existing TVT channel 8 and ABT channel 10 analog television services. These channels are: UHF Band V 51, 54 Max ERP 600 W 11
Reason: A detailed ABA engineering assessment indicates that digital channels operating on channels 8, 9A and 10 in Hobart will cause severe interference to co-channelled VHF analog services TVT 8 and ABT 10 in Bicheno. To allow continued operation, both these Bicheno services should be moved to UHF. Channels 51 and 54 have been identified as suitable. These channels are close in frequency to the other UHF analog television service in Bicheno (on channel 48); and viewers can use their existing Band V UHF antennas to receive these channels. A submission from SBS9 was received on this issue. The submission raised concerns about the cost of the analog changes. The ABA considers this to be a matter for negotiation between the affected parties. Evidence: An ABA engineering assessment of UHF channels indicates that channels 51 and 54 are available for Bicheno. 3.2.2 Bicheno alternative analog channels - Assignment
Decision B The assignment of UHF analog channels for the TVT commercial television service and the ABT national television service in Bicheno proposed to be as follows:
Area Served Bicheno Existing analog channel assignments/ analog channel assignments TVT 8 51 ABT 10 54
Reason: This assignment has the effect of maintaining the order of existing analog channel assignments.
Submission No.: 99/6263
Launceston alternative analog channel
Decision C One UHF channel is proposed to be allotted to Launceston and assigned to the existing TNT channel 11 analog commercial television service. This channel is: UHF Band IV Reason: The ABA's engineering studies indicate that the allotment of channel 11 to a Hobart digital service will cause severe interference to the existing TNT 11 Launceston analog commercial television local area transmitter. Therefore, in order for channel 11 to be used for a digital service in Hobart, the TNT 11 analog service must move to an alternative channel. Channel 59 has been identified as a suitable alternative analog channel for TNT 11 as it is well within the band of the other existing UHF Band V analog television services for Launceston (on channels 56, 62 and 65). Viewers can use their existing UHF receive antennas to receive channel 59, and it is likely that TNT will be able to share the existing UHF transmit antenna facilities to transmit its analog service on channel 59. Southern Cross, the operator of the affected TNT 11 Launceston local area transmitter, agrees with the alternative channel assignment proposed in this decision. Evidence: A submission was received from Southern Cross 10. A detailed ABA engineering assessment into television broadcasting spectrum for an alternative analog channel in Launceston indicates that channel 59 is available. 3.2.4 Taroona alternative analog channel 59 Max ERP 2 kW
Decision D One channel is to be assigned for the existing TVT channel 8 analog commercial television service in Taroona. This channel is: UHF Band V Reason: ABA engineering studies indicate that the allotment of channels 7 and 8 to Hobart digital services will cause severe interference to the existing TVT channel 8 analog commercial 40 Max ERP 2 kW
television service in Taroona. Therefore, in order for channels 7 and 8 to be used for digital services in Hobart, the Taroona TVT 8 service will need to change channel. Channel 40 has been identified as a suitable alternative analog channel for the TVT 8 local area transmitter, as it is well within the band of the other existing UHF Band V analog television services on channels 43, 46 and 49 for Taroona. Viewers can therefore use their existing UHF receive antennas to receive channel 40, and it is likely that TVT may be able to share the existing UHF transmit antenna facilities to transmit its analog service on channel 40. Evidence: A detailed ABA engineering assessment into television broadcasting spectrum for an analog channel in Launceston indicates that channel 59 is available.
APPENDIX 1 ­ LIST OF SUBMISSIONS
The table below is a list of submissions relating to the DCP for Tasmania ­ Hobart: Submission Market Submission No. 99/6235
Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, Toowoomba, Wollongong
Australian Communications All States and Territories Authority (ACA) Federation of Australian Commercial Television Stations (FACTS) All States and Territories
99/6215
99/6214
Federation of Australian All States Radio Broadcasters Limited (FARB) Medical Industries Association NTL Australia (NTL) All States and Territories
99/6288
99/6233
Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria
99/6217
99/6234
99/6263
Hobart DCP