Title
NTC Rules for Digital TV Broadcast Service
Law
Ntc Memorandum Circular No. 07-12-2014
Decision Date
Dec 16, 2014
The NTC Memorandum Circular No. 07-12-14 establishes the rules and regulations for the implementation of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Broadcast Service in the Philippines, including the requirement for DTTB stations to simulcast their digital service with analog TV service and the allocation of frequency bands for DTTB service.
digital terrestrial television
broadcast service
rules and regulations

Effectivity and publication requirement

  • The circular takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
  • The circular also takes effect upon filing with the UP Law Center of three (3) certified copies of the IRR.
  • Effectivity is tied to both publication and filing conditions.

Policy standards and declared intent

  • The NTC requires the introduction of digital technology in broadcasting to ensure competitiveness of the broadcast industry and enable enhanced services for the public.
  • The NTC establishes guidelines to facilitate entry of digital broadcast services and ensure smooth transition from analog to digital television.
  • The NTC confirms a national implementation standard using digital terrestrial technology to achieve expanded channel capacity and improved audio-visual quality.

Core definitions for DTTB services

  • Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB) is digital television using a conventional aerial antenna rather than satellite or cable, providing more SDTV channels and/or better picture (e.g., HDTV) and sound (e.g., AAC, EAC3, Dolby Digital).
  • Integrated Services Digital Broadcast Terrestrial (ISDB-T) is a flexible digital transmission system carrying audio, video and data services to fixed, mobile, and handheld terminals using a single facility, with an integrated Emergency Warning Broadcast System (EWBS).
  • Standard Definition TV (SDTV) has a resolution of 480 lines per frame.
  • High Definition TV (HDTV) has a resolution higher than 480 lines per frame.
  • Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB) Service is the service set provided by a television broadcast service provider using digital technology, whether fixed or mobile, including television, audio, data broadcast services, and other services that may become available.
  • Single Frequency Network (SFN) is a scheme where multiple transmitters send the same signal content/program over the same 6 MHz frequency channel over an approved service area.
  • Emergency Warning Broadcast System (EWBS) is a system activated to alert and guide the public of an impending or ongoing emergency by delivering warning information through audible sound and superimposition of data to ISDB-T receivers that automatically activate.
  • Duly Authorized Analog TV Operator is a duly enfranchised TV network holding a valid Provisional Authority (PA) or Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) for VHF or UHF analog TV operations upon effectivity of the IRR.
  • Data Broadcasting/Datacasting is delivering Rich Text and graphics including emergency warning details and instructions.
  • One Seg is a mandated DTT service for handheld and portable devices containing free-to-air legacy programs and support for displaying Emergency Warning Broadcast information.
  • Analog Shut-Off (ASO) is the date in the approved Migration Plan for mandatory termination of all analog television services in the Philippines.
  • Digital Switch On (DSO) is the date of effectivity of the IRR.
  • Transition Period runs from DSO until ASO.
  • Service Area is the geographic area where a duly authorized analog operator is authorized to provide its broadcast services, or an authorized service area approved for a new DTTB station.
  • Broadcast Markup Language (BML) is a data-transmission markup language allowing text display on an ISDB-T enabled device.
  • Digital Switch On (DSO) / Transition Period define the operational timeline for migration.

National standard and DTTB service operations

  • The ISDB-T standard is the sole standard for delivery of DTTB services in the country.
  • Provision of DTTB services is allowed upon effectivity of the IRR.
  • Analog VHF-TV service is neither disrupted nor terminated until further orders or approval of the Commission.
  • VHF analog operators must simulcast their DTTB service together with analog TV within one (1) year upon grant of authority to provide DTTB service, subject to the IRR and future pertinent rules.
  • If a VHF operator cannot simulcast, other qualified UHF TV operators may be allowed to use the frequency assigned to the VHF operator that cannot simulcast, subject to the next simulcast and transition rules.
  • Analog UHF-TV operators may go directly to DTTB anytime during the Transition Period using their assigned analog UHF frequency, but must give a notice or advisory to the viewing public at least one (1) month before the start of DTTB operations.
  • Analog UHF operators may also simulcast together with analog TV within one (1) year upon grant of authority to provide DTTB service, subject to the IRR and future NTC rules, and subject to appropriate frequency-assignment guidelines issued by the NTC.
  • Each DTTB station must provide a minimum of 51 dBµV/m rooftop (10 meters) reception for its approved service area.
  • A duly authorized DTTB service provider must have the option, manifested in its application to the NTC, to adopt either:
    • single or multi-program HDTV format, or
    • single or multi-program SDTV format,
    • or any combination thereof.
  • Any subsequent change in program format that results in degradation or termination of an existing program requires prior written approval from the NTC.
  • If the NTC does not issue a decision after fifteen (15) days from filing of an application for change or termination of format, the application is deemed approved.
  • The provision of new programs in addition to the analog legacy program is encouraged, and provision of HD programs is likewise encouraged.
  • The Commission may identify UHF frequencies of 6 MHz bandwidth for use in providing DTTB service during the Transition Period.
  • The broadcasters choose BML for smooth implementation of the EWBS function.

Transition limits and analog termination rule

  • Applications for DTTB service by entities with no existing authorization for analog TV service are not granted during the transition period in Mega Manila, which consists of Metro Manila including the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.
  • New DTTB service authorizations may be granted outside Mega Manila during the transition period subject to frequency availability in the applied area.
  • No analog TV service is allowed after ASO.
  • The NTC shall review the ASO five (5) years after DSO to determine the extent the transition objectives/targets have been achieved/satisfied.

Who may apply and filing limits

  • Only entities with a valid Congressional Franchise to provide a TV broadcasting service may apply for authorization to operate a DTTB service in the franchise area, specifically:
    • existing duly authorized analog TV operators;
    • entities with pending petitions for analog authorization desiring to amend their petitions to provide DTT service; and
    • entities with no existing petition for analog authorization.
  • The NTC cannot grant any petitions or applications for new DTTB Service until all existing duly authorized analog operators have been granted their applications and assigned their DTT frequencies, subject to Section 4.2.

Qualification criteria and petition conversion

  • DTTB applicants must hold a Congressional Broadcast Franchise in the area applied for.
  • DTTB applicants must have financial capacity to install, operate, and maintain a DTTB service.
  • DTTB applicants must prove technical capability to install, operate, and maintain the proposed DTTB network.
  • A duly authorized analog TV operator seeking DTTB must file within sixty (60) days from effectivity of the IRR a Manifestation in its pending analog petition(s) showing intention to convert to DTTB.
  • A duly authorized analog TV operator that fails to convert its analog TV service to DTTB within the Transition Period results in cancellation of its Authority/Permit and automatic recall of its frequency assignment.
  • Pending analog authorization petitions may be amended by motion into a petition for DTTB authorization.
  • Petitioners must comply with all requirements of the IRR and prove legal, technical, and financial capability to provide DTTB service.
  • Pending petitions for new analog TV services that are not converted to a petition for DTTB within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of effectivity of the IRR are dismissed by the NTC.
  • Entities that desire DTTB service and have no existing petition or application for analog authorization must file a requisite petition for each service area where they intend to provide DTTB.
  • Such petition must state legal, technical, and financial capability, the type of DTTB services to be provided, and the schedule for providing services, and must provide at least one (1) free-to-air program.
  • A separate petition must be filed for each new or additional service area applied for.
  • All pending petitions for issuance of DTTB authorizations must be amended to comply with the IRR requirements.
  • Upon effectivity of the IRR, petitions or applications for new analog TV broadcast stations are no longer accepted by the Commission.

Spectrum allocation and transition plan

  • The frequency bands 512–698 MHz (Channels 21 to 51) are allocated for implementation of the DTTB service.
  • A 6 MHz bandwidth is assigned for each authorized DTTB service per service area.
  • SFN shall be allowed where technically feasible.
  • The NTC must take steps to provide UHF TV stations an opportunity to simulcast by allocating frequencies that may become available.
  • Equitable opportunity in frequency assignment for simulcast after availability must be given to UHF TV stations, after all VHF TV stations have been assigned their simulcast frequencies.
  • Transition and migration from analog to DTTB are based on a Transition Plan formulated by the NTC in consultation with the broadcast industry.
  • The Transition Plan must specify:
    • the specific DTTB frequencies assigned to duly authorized analog VHF TV operators in each of their service areas;
    • the schedule for filing DTTB applications for the categories of qualified applicants specified under Section 3; and
    • the period allowed for construction of DTTB stations for those categories.
  • All analog TV broadcast transmissions must be terminated on the ASO stated in the approved Migration Plan.
  • A DTTB Migration Plan shall be issued later by the government, covering policy, regulatory and technical issues, fiscal considerations, industry and consumer support interventions, and other measures necessary for the country’s migration to digital TV broadcasting, including the planned ASO date.
  • The NTC shall issue corresponding additional rules and regulations in accordance with the approved Migration Plan.

Sale labeling for TV sets and set-top boxes

  • Manufacturers and importers of brand new TV receiving sets must indicate for each TV set whether it can receive:
    • analog signal only and will require a set-top box, or
    • ISDB-T programs.
  • TV set and set-top box labels must include the following categories:
    • ISDB-T ready STB;
    • Non-ISDB-T ready STB;
    • ISDB-T ready TV; and
    • Analog TV.

Technical attachments and repealing clause

  • Other standards specific to the Philippine DTTB system are attached as Annex “AA” of the IRR.
  • All circulars, orders, memorandum(s), or parts thereof inconsistent with the IRR are deemed superseded and/or amended accordingly.

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