REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA AD HOC COMMITTEE ON THE SWITCHOVER STRATEGY Technical Secretariat STRATEGY ON DIGITAL SWITCHOVER Tirana 2011 Page 1 of 83 Introduction International aspect of digital switchover In the light of the new technological developments, it has been concluded long ago that an effective use of the frequency spectrum and the achievement of political objectives of any country, such as development of domestic market, competition, change and growth, may not be achieved by using a fractioned spectrum through old analogue technologies, but by introducing new digital technologies. Switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting is a global process coordinated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The final deadlines for Region 1, where Albania is included according to the ITU regional division, are stipulated in the GE-06 Agreement. The GE-06 Agreement was ratified by the Assembly of Albania by Law no. 9851 dated 26.12.2007 (Official journal no. 187, dated 24.01.2008, pg. 588). The work on introducing new digital technologies in the European television broadcasting has begun long ago. The EU Council of Ministers adopted on 20 November 2003 "The Conclusions on the transition period from analogue to digital broadcasting", highlighting especially the different scale of development, which currently exists among the member states, as well as the fact that any intervention from politics to achieve this transition should be done mainly at the national level, considering the need for public support of this process. Based on the decision of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2004, the Regional Conference of Radio Communication (RRC-04) was held, whose agenda included especially the issues of planning the frequencies for DVB-T through Europe and Africa, and in a large part of Asia. The second round of this Conference, RRC-06, was held in May-June 2006. RRC-06 adopted the GE-06 Agreement “On planning the terrestrial digital broadcasting services in parts of Region 1 and 3, in the frequency band 174-230 MHz and 470-862 MHz”. Part of the agreement was the Digital Broadcasting Frequency Plan including the Albanian Digital Broadcasting Frequency Plan. The agreement foresees 2015 as the year of the complete switch off of the analogue broadcasting, which obliges all signing states to respect the deadlines of this international decision. A large number of coordinating, bilateral and multilateral meetings between neighbour countries have been organized to achieve the GE-06 Agreement and finalise the frequency plan attached to this agreement, whose final aim was equal use, not a discriminating use, of the limited resources of the frequency spectrum in order for the digital broadcasting to meet the requirement of each country, both in quantity and quality, and not cause damaging interferences in the broadcasting of the respective state. Page 2 of 83 EU member states have set objectives for digital switchover and freeing the frequency spectrum. To stimulate the switchover, the European Commission approved on May 2005 a Communication on "Accelerating the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting". This document foresees that analogue broadcasting in EU member states will be finally switched off during the period 2010 – 2012, by examining the main issues caused by the migration from analogue to digital system and identifying the various advantages provided by digital broadcasting. This document explains the circumstances that justify the intervention of politics in the digital switchover process. This Communication refers also to the need of the member states to establish a stable regulatory environment, which encourages investment and offers greater flexibility of the conditions accompanying digital switchover. It emphasises the importance of the spectrum management in the digital switchover, proposing, among others, a narrower international coordination and new allocation and assigning mechanisms. It invites the member states to make sure that political interventions are transparent, justified, adequate, implemented in due time and indiscriminately, stating also that “the period of digital switchover, is a comprehensive process with social and economic implications, being at the same time a big challenge for the industry, users and state structures”. European citizens, including the Albanian citizens, should obtain direct benefits from this process in the form of a quicker access to new technologies and lower prices on communications. While the digitalization process affects the majority of the Albanian population due to its inevitable consequences, especially the technical, economic and social ones, the state plays an indispensable place in this process. In order to face such challenge, it is deemed necessary to identify and take concrete steps and measures in this direction. The experience of other countries, which have already initiated this process, shows that a successful switchover requires the drafting of a strategy or comprehensive document in order to properly address the present and future challenges. While not only in Europe, but also in our region there are countries that have finalised the digital switchover, Albania remains one of the last countries where this process has not even started yet in an organised manner. Every further delay endangers the process, which is one of the international commitments of the Albanian State. Achievement of the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting is part of the obligations in terms of the EU requirements related to Albania's adherence to it. Scope of the Document The aim of this policy document is to perform the switchover process from analogue to digital broadcasting by informing and preparing in due time all the interested players in order for this process to be effective and positive. Page 3 of 83 Since the society nowadays relies on advanced electronic communication, the demand for radio frequencies is continuously increasing. The frequencies spectrum is a primary support element in electronic communications, regardless of whether it includes mobile telephony, internet wireless access or radio and television broadcasting. Today’s rapid technological developments and the convergence of electronic communications, media capacities and electronic equipment are creating a dynamic environment which is making the spectrum an ever restricted source. In case the spectrum management does not go in parallel with such developments, thus if traditional methods do not change, our society shall be deprived of enjoying the fruits of this new dynamic environment. The vigorous technology changes in the field of media, the reality of digital television in Albania and the need to update the legislation in force in line with the best European standards and practices in the field, has served as a powerful impulse in drafting such a document, aiming at creating a long-term environment and vision of regulatory approaches in the digitalization process. Content of the Document The digital switchover strategy anticipates the main objectives and principles of the switchover, defines the role of the state and the respective state administration structures for creating the necessary conditions for the digital switchover, provides an assessment of the existing technical and legal situation of the Albanian audio and visual landscape and defines the steps, procedures and timelines for completing the switchover process within 17 June 2015. The switchover from the analogue to the digital broadcasting shall play a fundamental role in the overall development of the information society since the digitalization of information shall enable the collection, processing and flow of larger quantities and better quality data. Digital broadcasting systems shall increase services offered to the public, extend open choices for the users and shall also offer wider access to the information society services, which makes the economic and social implications of this process very important. This document has been prepared based on the analysis of the current situation as well as on the best international practises in the field, considering the interests of the Albanian customers, the financial aspects of the switchover, network capacities, broadcasting obligations as well the current broadcasting situation in Albania. This document takes into consideration the benefits of digital switchover as well as the various guidelines, conclusions, recommendations and debates held at the EU level on the values and benefits of the digital switchover. The present document does also set the path and the stages to be followed during the digital switchover, the accompanying legal, institutional and technical steps to be undertaken as well as the need for collaboration and coordination with all the involved players. Page 4 of 83 Another positive element of this strategy document is the setting of regulatory instruments especially with regards to public policy interventions (for instance, consumers’ information campaigns or the defining of the Albanian public television (TVSH) role in the digitalization process); regulatory measures or financial support mechanisms. The realization of this switchover in compliance with the objectives set in this document, shall further encourage the development of the Albanian media market, provide more benefits for the consumers and the persons in need in particular; it shall enable a more effective use of the network capacities as well as a larger capacity spectrum, especially