DVB-H: Indian Perspectiva

VB-H is the leading global technology standard from the DVB Organization for transmission of Digital TV targeting handheld, battery powered devices such as mobile telephones, PDAs etc. Published as a formal standard (EN 203 204) by ETSI (European Telecom Standards Institute) in November 2004, it is a physical layer specification designed to enable efficient delivery of IP encapsulated data over terrestrial networks. It is a non proprietary open standard. After the successful testing of mobile reception using DVB-T, possibility for broadcasting to handheld was explored by DVB organization. The key application in mind were Mobile TV, Video streaming in general & File Downloads-all targeted at handheld receivers operating on limited battery life and difficult reception condition. With this background the specifications for DVB-H were framed. 

RIGHT OF WAY DEMANDED BY MSO’s and Cable Operators

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has constituted a Sub-Commitee for rationalization of ‘Right of Way’ charges for the Cable Television Industry. First meeting of the sub-commiteehaving representation from all the stake holders was held in the Ministry on 11 June 2008 under the Chairmanship of Sh. Uday Kumar Verma, Add Secy., Ministry of I&B Since 1990 yet it dose not have a clearcut defined right of way regulation for laying its networks. Every State government, Municipal Authority and the Electricity Board has its own way of charging the Cable Operators for using electric poles or laying underground cables. The rates vary tremendously from state to state. This cost if ultimately passed on to the consumers.

We all know that cable TV has become an essential service in the country, being a mass media for information and entertainment of the masses including the ones staying in rural and remote areas. Infact cable TV in the last fifteen years has changed the whole economy of the country.

News Broadcasting Standards (Disputes Redressal) Authority An Initiative of the News Broadcasters

Discussions on Regulating the television content has ben going on since last one year after the government had put up a draft content regulations on the I&B Ministry’s website. The broadcasters had vehemently opposed any government regulatory control on them in the name of ‘freedom of press’ and decided to draft their own self regulations instead. Consequently News Broadcasters Association (NBA), an association of all news broadcasters formed last year for the purpose, drafted their own dispute redressal mechanism and a self regulatory code. Under these proposed regulations News Broadcasting Standards Dispute Redressal Authority would take care of any complaints.

New Improved Methods o Measure Digital DTH Signals

With the booming DTH market, it's important to understand what type of measurements one need in order to achieve the best installation result.

First of all, we can read the traditional measurements as in the analogue days i.e. RF level and Carrier to Noise (signal to noise) CNR or SNR.

WiMAX Technology in India

WiMAX, or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a wireless telecommunications technology capable of providing data over long distances in a variety of ways, from point-to-point links to offering full mobile cellular access. It is also known as wireless broadband and fits between wireless LANs, such as 802.11, and wireless WANs (wide-area networks), such as the cellular networks.

It is a cost effective and viable solution of wireless transmission based on the IEEE standard 802.16 that stands for worldwide interoperability for microwave access. Aiming to be a vendor/ carrier, independent service where different equipment manufactures can communicate with each other easily the WiMAX Forum is a non-profit agency responsible for bringing WiMAX to the light of the day. 

Right of Way

The broadcasters may shout on top of their voice that they can self-regulate themselves and do not require any intervention from the government, it has been proved time and again that they are not yet matured enough to do that. The rising competition amongst ever increasing number of TV channels has brought under scanner the objectionable, vulgar and violent content being dished out unabated by these channels to increase their TRP’s and ad revenues. The government is worried about this and issuing warning after warning every month but there is no end to this game and the government has been forced to bring the content as well as the TRP system under a regulatory regime.

The Arushi murder case is one such incident which has been exploited by all news channels last month. Woman and Child Welfare Minister Renuka Chowdhary had to oppose making of a serial on the case by Balaji Television to be telecast on Star Plus. I&B Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi had to ask the Star Plus management not to exploit the situation. Court had to tell the news channels not to become the judge themselves and mislead the public, hampering the process of justice. 

July 2008

Tuesday, July 01, 2008 -- A 24 year old cable operator was brutally killed at Towdiarpet in north Chennai.