AROUND THE WORLD | In Italy, some viewers can enjoy internet fall-back if their TV signal fails thanks the arrival of DVB-I. At the same time, the country’s public broadcaster RAI is preparing to upgrade its signal.
In November, the first major market trial got underway of a TV platform that could offer more channels, better picture quality and access to channels even if a viewer is outside of the terrestrial coverage zone.
Using the new pan-European DVB-I standard, the first smart TVs manufactured by Vestel are now geared up to access commercial broadcaster Mediaset’s new service. The broadcaster is trialling how DVB-I could complement the existing terrestrial TV service.
As in many countries with hilly or mountainous terrain, terrestrial coverage can be variable. In places reception of the full set of channels is not possible. DVB-I can kick in where terrestrial reception is absent, or where the household doesn’t want to use an aerial.
In the trial, viewers with compatible smart TVs can access four HD channels from Mediaset on channel 504-506 and 520 via their broadband connection. But it’s only a small drop in the ocean to what DVB-I could be used for in the future, as new hybrid platforms take shape.
The remaining terrestrial TV channels are broadcast as normal. But among those other terrestrial channels, a further change is on its way.
Public broadcaster RAI has been tasked at converting one multiplex to DVB-T2/HEVC – the technological combo that’s just been rolled out in Poland and is already in use elsewhere in Europe. It’s expected that in time, the rest of the service will migrate across, although there’s concerns about viewers not having the right equipment. Italy’s terrestrial platform has only recently switched to MPEG4 broadcasts.
DVB-T2 switch expected to reduce signal interference
The move to DVB-T2 in Italy has been welcomed, as the terrestrial frequency plan is based on DVB-T2 usage, despite services still using DVB-T. The current situation produces interference issues, as Italian website DDay reports, with the DVB-T2 standard enabling improved reception of single frequency networks. Interference is particularly a problem in the summer when high pressure weather conditions affect terrestrial signals.
As in other countries, the use of HEVC opens up the possibility of capacity becoming available to transmit 4K UHD services terrestrially. RAI currently allows terrestrial viewers with compatible TV sets to stream its 4K UHD channel via an HbbTV app. But 4K UHD broadcasts do require a good broadband connection, so terrestrial broadcasts can be seen as being a more efficient way to distribute live UHD content. So far, RAI has made its Sports channel RAI Sport available in the new HEVC format, but in HD.
How do the UK and Republic of Ireland compare?
DVB-I has already been tested in the Republic of Ireland. RTÉ launched a trial in early 2023, with three internet-delivered test services allocated to the service list alongside existing Saorview channels. The tests can’t be accessed by domestic users.
In the UK, the BBC has launched an internet fall-back service of sorts, giving viewers with compatible devices access to the full set of BBC channels, including BBC News HD and BBC Parliament HD. However, this involves TVs directed to retrieve live feeds from the BBC iPlayer. That means that viewers have to be registered and signed in to the iPlayer to watch, even if they select the channels from the channel list. But this isn’t true DVB-I. Other streaming channels on Freeview use HbbTV applications. This is how RAI delivers its 4K channel to Italian terrestrial households.
And so far, Everyone TV, the platform operator behind the UK’s free-to-air TV platforms is being secretive regarding the specs for Freeview replacement Freely.
Going back just a few years, there had been talk of the next-generation Freeview service offering internet fall-back; a service that offers the full set of Freeview channels in areas where they are not available, with the TV list including a mix of services delivered via aerial and internet.
Initial information about Freely indicates it will launch as a completely delinked service from previous terrestrial and satellite free-to-air broadcasts, not as a natural progression that combines both old and new ways of delivery via a DVB-I service list. It’s targeting the currently relative small number of broadband-only homes (15%), who have already ditched their aerial or dish.
▶ Around the World
As 2023 ends, a look at how other countries are developing their TV platforms as viewers expect more HD, 4K and more streaming.
- Spain: where HD, not SD channels are being turned off
- Poland: Terrestrial TV upgrade arrives in Eastern European country