The Future of Digital Television

[Commentary] On 16 June 2006, a treaty agreement was signed at the ITU Regional Radiocommunication Conference (RRC-06) in Geneva, setting a target date of 17 June 2015 for the digitalization of broadcasting in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Central Asia (known as Region 1 in ITU). The change from analogue to digital television broadcasting brings opportunities and challenges for all stakeholders, from manufacturers to broadcasters and end-users. The decision not only brings possibilities for structured development of digital terrestrial broadcasting but also sufficient flexibilities for adaptation to the changing telecommunication environment. As such, it represents a major milestone in the effort to connect underserved and remote communities and close the digital divide.

A former Chair of the World Broadcasting Unions Technical Committee, and Chair of ITU-R Working Party 6C and several groups of the DVB Project, David Wood is an expert in the field of digital broadcasting. ITU asked him about the switch from analogue to digital television broadcasting and what impact this process will have on the future of television. Asked about the direction digital TV could take in the future, David Wood said, "There are several schools of thought. One is that the efficiency gains of digital broadcasting should be used to develop digital broadcasting with new services such as ultra-high definition television. Such systems are being developed internationally with four times and sixteen times the image detail of high definition television. Another school of thought is that at least part of the spectrum would be better used for wireless broadband, which would bring cash for governments by the sale of spectrum, and easier access to the Internet for the public. The Internet itself could provide television programmes as a substitute for broadcasting."

[David Wood is EBU Consultant, Technology and Innovation, at the EBU Headquarters in Geneva Switzerland]