Digital Direction in Pakistan at AIBD/ITU Event

Broadcast transmission services provider Broadcast Australia delivered a series of educational seminars at the recent "Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting — Implementation Roadmap" regional seminar in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Organised by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and hosted by Pakistan Television Corp. (PTV), the seminar provided key broadcast industry stakeholders from the region with valuable insight into aspects of planning and implementation of digital radio and television broadcasting networks.

According to Broadcast Australia Vice President for Technology, International Business Peter Kepreotes, broadcasters around the world are looking for ways to streamline the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting. "The seminars were based on our portfolio of DAB, DVB-T and DVB-H projects, and set out to provide attendees with a technically sound understanding of digital television and radio broadcasting technologies", he said. "It was our aim to provide attendees with information to assist them in planning and implementing a digital TV or radio technology matched to their broadcast environment and requirements".

Broadcast Australia delivered four presentations: "Overview of DAB, DAB+ and DMB", "DAB service implementation and planning", "DVB-T overview, service implementation and planning" and "Broad specification for DVB-H". The presentations outlined issues ranging from digital radio and television network conception and planning, through to deployment and operation.

The seminar series gave attendees the opportunity to leverage the expertise and experience of industry leaders, such as Broadcast Australia. Local broadcasters were able to gain insight into the advantages, pitfalls and potential of a range of digital radio and television technologies.

Kepreotes was also on-hand as the moderator at the closing discussion session. "The final session provided a great opportunity for the large cross-section of regional broadcasters to exchange ideas and discuss the principles learnt over the past two days of seminars", he explained. "It also highlighted the current requirements of local broadcasters — some of which will mould the future direction of digital broadcasting in the region".