Subregional Seminar and Ministerial Round Table on Switchover from Analog to Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcastin

1. Subregional Seminar and Ministerial Round Table on Switchover from Analog to Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting in Central and Eastern Europe Belgrade, 27-29 April 2009 Digital switchover in Serbia Jelena Surculija Assistant Minister for International Cooperation Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Society Government of the RepublicSerbiaMinistry for Telecommunications and Information Society

2. The Draft Strategy covers the following most important areas: • Introduction – with the background explanations of the history and necessity of the digitalization process • Regulatory framework • Technical and technological issues • Programme content • Economic issues • Promotion of the digitalization process Government of the Republic of Serbia, Ministry for Telecommunications and Information Society

3. Introduction • Benefits of Digital Broadcasting • Digital Broadcasting Chain Architecture • Standardization in the Digital Broadcasting Sector • Compression method and DTT standard in Serbia Government of the Republic of Serbia, Ministry for Telecommunications and Information Society

4. Regulatory framework - Serbia • Strategy for Development of Broadcasting Sector in the Republic of Serbia by the Year 2013 • Strategy for Development of Telecommunications in the Republic of Serbia, from 2006 to 2010 • Telecommunications Act • Broadcasting Act • Public Information Act Government of the Republic of Serbia, Ministry for Telecommunications and Information Society

5. Regulatory framework – Relevant International Documents Documents to be ratified: • The final Acts of the Regional Radiocommunication Conference for planning of digital terrestrial broadcasting service in parts of Regions 1 and 3, in the frequency bands 174-230 MHz and 470-862 MHz (ITU RRC-06) • European Convention on Transfrontier Television • European Agreement on programme exchange by means of television films’ exchange • European Convention on the Protection of Audiovisual Heritage • European Agreement on prevention of programme broadcasting from a territory outside of the state territory • European Agreement on the Protection of Television Programmes • Agreement on facilitation of international traffic of visual and audio materials of the educational, scientific and cultural character. Documents that should be taken into consideration: • Directive on Audiovisual Media Services (AVMSD) • Communication from the Commission to the Council, European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the regions on accelerating the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting • Recommendation Rec(2003)9 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on measures to promote the democratic and social contribution of digital broadcasting • Recommendation (99) 1 of the Committee of ministers to member states on measures to promote media pluralism • Recommendation Rec(2007)3 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the remit of public service media in the information society Government of the Republic of Serbia, Ministry for Telecommunications and Information Society

6. Regulatory priorities for successful implementation of the switchover process • The means and procedure for selection of network operators (who and in what way can be issued a licence for operating a digital broadcasting network) • The means and procedure for multiplex managing • The means and procedure of issuing licences for different programme contents • The programme broadcasting fees.

7. The strategy needs to answer the following regulatory questions: The date of the analogue switch off (ASO) Do we need new laws harmonized with ITU, CoE and EU standards? Can we amend some of the existing laws and regulation? Compression /broadcasting standard Means of the digital transition The network type (MFN/SFN)

8. Programme content – Regulatory framework In Serbia: • Broadcasting Act In EU: • European Standards in Content Regulation • European Convention on Transfrontier Television (Council of Europe) • Directive on Audiovisual Media Services – AVMSD (European Commission)

9. Programme content - New services • A larger number of digital terrestrial television channels (compared with analogue television) on national, regional and local levels, both in standard resolution - SDTV and high resolution - HDTV • Stereo and surround sound • More audio channels accompanying one video recording • Possibility of sending more than one video content at the same time (multicasting) • Programme Guide – EPG • Wireless broadband services • DVB-H: digital television service adjusted to the reception by handheld devices (mobile telephones, laptop computers, palmtop computers) • Public safety services, such as wireless emergency services • Electronic banking • Interactive games • Quiz shows (Game Shows) • Information on demand • Video on demand • Internet Services

10. The proposed solution during public consultations Broadcasters should offer new services and programmes to attract viewers to digital environment Public service broadcaster should have the obligation to secure that everyone has access to its programme, especially viewers with special needs (e.g. by preparing subtitles for its digital programmes).

11. Economic issues Several aspects must be considered: • Technical, financial and other means needed for realizing the digital broadcasting network systems of the Republic of Serbia • The investment implementation dynamics, with due diligence to the chosen standard for compression and transmission of television and radio signals

12. Economic issues The scope, criteria and costs of subsidizing the acquisition of digital receivers (that is, of STBs) for end users, in order to ensure the inclusion of all social groups in the process of switchover to digital broadcasting of radio and television programmes Instruments for managing and implementing this Strategy document

13. Promotion of digital switchover process The aim is to: • Inform the citizens about the definition and nature of digital television and about the reasons for the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting of television programmes • Educate the citizens about the benefits of digital television and potential ways of using new possibilities offered by new technologies • Provide all citizens of the Republic of Serbia with right to information on dynamics and other details of the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting of television programme, and to offer assistance to citizens in the process of digital switchover.

14. The promotion process The promotion plan aimed at informing the general public and preparing the general public for digital broadcasting, including adequate training courses for the use of digital equipment and new services, in cooperation with broadcasters is needed and will be defined by the Strategy and the Action plan. The public service broadcaster, during public consultations, proposed to take the leading role in promoting the digital switchover process.

15. The draft Strategy and the Action plan In final phase Public debate starts mid May 2009 We thank to all of you who participated in public consultations during February this year Please take the active role in the next round of public hearings to help us create the Strategy on digital switchover in Serbia by June 2009.

16. Thank You for Your Attention Government of the Republic of Serbia Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Society Contact Information: Address: 22Nemanjina St. Belgrade, 11000 Serbia Tel: +381 11 2020 057 Fax: +381 11 2020 059 e-mail: jelena.surculija@mtid.gov.rs