Digitisation era for TV: Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang said Hong Kong viewers will enjoy high-definition television programmes via digital terrestrial TV broadcasting by 2007.

Hong Kong viewers will enjoy high-definition television programmes via digital terrestrial TV broadcasting in 2007.

The Chief Executive in Council has approved the policy of implementing digital terrestrial TV broadcasting. The two incumbent TV broadcasters, ATV and TVB, will start simulcasting both analogue and digital terrestrial television services by 2007 at the latest.

Subject to further technical and market studies, the Government aims to switch off analogue broadcasting five years after the simulcast commences.

If the Mainland does not declare a national standard by the end of 2006, the Government will let the market determine it.

ATV and TVB have indicated they will adopt the European DVB-T technical standard for digital broadcasting by then so as not to delay the rollout of digital broadcasting services.

Digital networks to cover 75% of HK in 2008

Of the five multiplexes available in Hong Kong, ATV and TVB will share one for digital migration, that is, simulcasting, and will each take up one additional multiplex to launch new digital broadcasting services.

The remaining two multiplexes will be assigned at a later stage after ATV and TVB have confirmed the technical feasibility of the Single Frequency Network configuration.

ATV and TVB will extend the coverage of their digital networks to 75% of the area of Hong Kong within 2008 after they begin simulcasting.

The Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang said the objective of launching the digital broadcasting is to enhance Hong Kong's broadcasting infrastructure to make it a leading digital city, improve spectrum efficiency, and enhance the quality of broadcasting and communications services for the community.

Noting that digital television services were already available to viewers in Hong Kong via cable, satellite and broadband networks, Mr Tsang highlighted that the broadcasting industry will enter a new era of full digitisation with the launch of digital broadcasting.

Smooth analogue-to-digital migration a priority

"Our priority is to ensure a smooth analogue-to-digital migration of existing terrestrial television services," he said.

"When most TV households have switched over to DTT services, we may then consider switching off analogue broadcasting to release the spectrum for other communications services."

The move entails investment by the two incumbents in building and testing the digital broadcasting network, and launching new television or multimedia services to drive consumer take-up of digital TV.