DTT and 5G are condemned to understand each other. With the new generation mobile networks we have a much greater capacity than now in terms of speed and number of users connected to the same access point, in addition to a greater range thanks to the liberalization of the 700 MHz frequencies. However, a The new standard could go one step further and allow DTT to be dispensed with forever.
We are talking about DVB-I . This standard was announced at the end of 2019 by the DVB organization, in charge of standardizing everything that has to do with television broadcasts in Europe, such as DVB-T2 for DTT or DVB-S2 for satellite. The “I” in the name of the standard stands for the Internet, where the objective is very clear: to broadcast television over the Internet .
Technical improvements for DVB-I using 5G
In April of last year, DVB launched a test app for DVB-I, where we could watch TV via mobile phone or computer . The web, unfortunately, no longer works, but it showed that the standard works correctly.
At the beginning of the month, the DVB Steering Board approved the publication of a document with the commercial requirements for this standard. The published document, called DVB Bluebook C100 , has 70 technical requirements and key elements related to 5G networks and television broadcasting through it. Among them, we find 5G Broadcast, 5G Media Streaming, and 5G Broadcast based on LTE , which would allow the use of LTE networks to also offer DTT.
All DTT frequencies for 5G is it viable?
Using 5G to offer 5G has a multitude of advantages. The first is that all the frequencies currently used by DTT ( 470 to 694 MHz ) could be used for mobile telephony and make it have a greater range. The second is that any device with 5G could allow you to watch TV, such as mobile phones or connected cars. At the same time, we also have the advantage of a higher image quality, without limit of channels and with the option of having interactive content on demand for free and comfortably.
The new requirements force television networks to collaborate directly with operators. For this reason, the specifications detail the specifications so that there are interfaces for users and an API that standardizes the communication channels between mobile network operators and television networks.
Access to this service would be totally free, as is DTT today. In the event that it is implemented, it would be done gradually, since the current DTT is guaranteed at least until the year 2030, as guaranteed by the Government of Spain with the Second Digital Dividend that took place last year. Thus, in 2030 there could be a Third Digital Dividend to liberalize the 600 MHz band, but by then DTT may already be broadcasting through 5G.
The specification will be ready next year
Ultimately, DVB concludes that, after these updates, the DVB-I standard over 5G is expected to be fully finalized in the third quarter of 2022 . However, this will be the first step on a long road.
