Hong Kong - OFTA prepares for launch of DTT second phase

Database on Coverage Information about Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Services Enhanced

To prepare for the launch of the second phase of digital terrestrial television (DTT) services in early August involving six additional transmission stations, the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) has enhanced its on-line database to include the information on the additional coverage areas that may receive DTT signals. The database has also been enhanced to include information on whether the communal aerial broadcast distribution (CABD) system of a particular building within the coverage areas has been upgraded to receive DTT signals.

“Launched in December 2007, the first phase of DTT services comprises of the main transmitting station at Temple Hill and covers the northern part of the Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon peninsula, part of Shatin and the eastern part of the Lantau Island. The second phase of DTT services would comprise of six additional transmitting stations, extending the DTT coverage areas to the southern part of the Hong Kong Island, Happy Valley, the northern part of the New Territories, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung, Junk Bay and Sai Kung. With the launch of the second phase, 75% of the Hong Kong population will be able to receive DTT signals by early August and they can enjoy viewing the DTT broadcast of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Prior to the second phase service launch, members of the public may be able to receive test signals from these new transmitting stations,” a spokesperson of OFTA said today (6 July2008).

“Members of the public who wish to know in advance whether the buildings in which they reside fall within the additional coverage areas may check with OFTA’s database” the spokesperson said.

“However, we would like to reiterate that the coverage information is an estimation based on computer simulation used by OFTA for planning of DTT services. There may be variations with respect to the actual coverage due to various environmental factors,” the spokesperson elaborated.

“We have also taken the opportunity to make the database more informative by adding information on whether the CABD system of a particular building within the coverage areas has been upgraded to receive DTT signals. Based on the responses received from building managers and incorporated owners of 10,000 buildings to our recent survey, the information of approximately 6,300 buildings with upgraded or to be upgraded CABD system by early August 2008 has been input into the database. Building managers and incorporated owners of other buildings are encouraged to inform us the upgrading status of their CABD systems to enable us to enrich our database for the information of the public,” the spokesperson continued.

Members of the public who wish to know more about the DTT service coverage and other aspects of the DTT services may contact the coverage database hotline of OFTA at 8102 4100.

More: OFTA Database