Adoption of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Technology
- The adoption of digital technology in broadcasting is aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the Philippine broadcast industry.
- Digital terrestrial television intends to provide improved service quality such as more SDTV channels, HDTV, and superior audio (e.g., AAC, EAC3 Dolby Digital).
- DTT services are delivered through conventional aerial antennas rather than satellite or cable.
Selection of the ISDB-T Standard for DTT
- Following consultations with a Technical Working Group (TWG) and stakeholders including the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), the NTC adopts Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) as the exclusive DTT standard.
- ISDB-T supports hierarchical modulation for audio, video, and data services to various terminal types: fixed, mobile, and handheld.
- The system includes an integrated Emergency Warning Broadcast System (EWBS).
Implementation and Regulation
- The NTC shall convene a Technical Working Group for drafting implementing rules and regulations (IRR) and frequency planning for DTT rollout.
- Existing rules or circulars inconsistent with this standard are superseded or amended accordingly.
Legal Provisions and Effectivity
- If any provision of the circular is declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions shall remain effective.
- The circular takes effect fifteen days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
- Three certified copies of the circular shall be furnished to the UP Law Center for record.
Key Definitions
- Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT): Digital TV service providing enhanced picture and sound over terrestrial broadcast.
- ISDB-T: A flexible digital TV transmission standard with multi-level modulation and emergency alert capabilities.