Gary TongeGary Tonge
Introduction to Technology in Introduction to Technology in the ITCthe ITC
15 November 200215 November 2002
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television CommissionSlide 2
Overview of ITC’s Structure
Chief Executive
Secretariat
Technology
Programmes and
Advertising
Public Affairs, Nations
and RegionsPolicy
Strategy, Economics and finance
HR and services
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television CommissionSlide 3
Main objectives of ITC Technology
• Achieve effective use of UHF TV spectrum• Facilitate progress to digital switchover• Set standards of technical quality and reliability• Take part in technical standardisation to protect UK
interests• Manage an outsourced R&D programme to support
the ITC’s strategic objectives• Answer technical queries from the public, MPs etc
related to existing and future television services
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television CommissionSlide 4
The group structure
17 people Director of
Technology
Technical Standards
and InformationNew MediaDigital Planning
Senior Technology
AdviserSpectrum management issues
Research experience
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television CommissionSlide 5
Digital planning - approach
• Use subcontractors for all planning and research work
• Total spend in 2001 of £610,000• Work closely with BBC & licensees to agree
planning strategy• Work closely with DTI/DCMS on switchover
planning• Work closely with RA on co-ordination
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television CommissionSlide 6
Some achievements
• Squeeze in analogue C5 – Allow changes to existing transmission frequencies
• Initial plan for digital terrestrial TV (DTT) with six “multiplexes”– Interleave in spectrum gaps at low power– Allow interference to analogue where alternative
available
• Subsequent re-engineering plans to improve “core coverage”– Beam tilting etc
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television CommissionSlide 7
Spectrum research
Investigate ways of improving planning tools & efficient use of spectrum– Digital satellite coverage model– Improved terrestrial planning model – Wireless home networking– Overlap with new media on new technologies e.g.
impact of 3G on broadcasting
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television CommissionSlide 8
Technical standards
Director of
Technology
PA
Technical Standards
and InformationNew MediaDigital Planning
Senior Technology
Adviser
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television CommissionSlide 9
Technical standards - some current issues
• DTT transmission mode (64QAM vs 16QAM)• Standards for interactive content authoring • Open standards for set-top box (PVR) recording• Technical quality of DTT with large screen
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television CommissionSlide 10
New media
Director of
Technology
PA
Technical Standards
and InformationNew MediaDigital Planning
Senior Technology
Adviser
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television CommissionSlide 11
New media - some projects
• Go Digital (300 homes in Midlands)• Easy TV (with CA and Design Council)• Automated sign language (EC Project)• Talking EPG (with Sky)• Rating and filtering (media literacy)• Convergence (internet/mobile/broadcast)• One current hot issue is Digital Rights
Management - potential new gateway
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television CommissionSlide 12
New media approach
• Lead / participate in internal cross-functional project teams– Broadband developments, media literacy and content filtering
systems, copyright
• Arrange new media technology demonstrations and briefings
• Co-ordinate and manage outsourced research projects– DTI and EU funding – Total spend in 2002 £700k
Copyright 2002, The Independent Television CommissionSlide 13
Approach to research
• “Out-sourced” rather than “funded”• Factored into ITC-wide strategy
• Co-ordination agreement signed with RA• Joint work in preparation for OFCOM, e.g.
– flexible use of spectrum cleared by switchover– home networks
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