Fourth DVB-T multiplex by September
Towercom which won the tender for the fourth DVB-T multiplex in Slovakia is obliged to launch commercial operations by the 31st August 2012. At launch 46.5% of the population will be covered and this will increase to 61% by the 31st December 2012. By the end of 2012, Towercom plans to provide an EPG (electronic programme guide) and use MHP to provide, e-government, online shopping and software updates.
Source: Telecompaper
Item added: 27th December 2011
Towercom wins Slovak DTT contest
The national transmission company Towercom has been awarded a licence to operate what will be Slovakia’s fourth DTT multiplex.
In a statement, the Slovak Telecom Office (TUSR) said that its decision to grant the licence, which is understood to be for a period of 18 years, was made by a five-member selection committee and adopted a technologically neutral position, allowing the bidder to use DVB or DVB-T2 and MPEG-2 or MPEG-4.
However, the regulator also called for amendments to the Digital Broadcasting Act, under which its decision was made.
Towercom beat off competition from Telecom Corp in securing the licence and will now enjoy monopoly status, operating all four of Slovakia’s DTT multiplexes.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 19th December 2011
Two applicants for DTT license
The communications regulator Slovak Telecommunications Office (TU SR) announced that it has received two applications for its tender to operate the fourth DTT multiplex.
The applications were received from Telecom Corp and the broadcast network operator Towercom and the next step is for the two applications to be reviewed by a five-person Selection Committee established by TU-SR.
The successful applicant will be able to choose between the DVB-T or DVB-T2 standards for the transmission of its service.
Source: TU SR website
Item added: 28th November 2011
Tender for fourth multiplex opened
Slovak regulator TUSR has published an invitation for tenders for the assignment of the country’s fourth DTT multiplex (DVB-T). Points are awarded according to their implementation plan and applicant can get the most points based on their planned coverage. Applications can be submitted until the 21st November
Source: Telecompaper
Item added: 29th October 2011
Towercom extends DVB-T2 trial
The Slovak national transmission company Towercom has extended its seven channel DVB-T2 trial in Borskom Mikulasi according to “Zive”.
Six of channels are in SD and the seventh in HD. Three of the SD channels are coded using MPEG-2 and three coded using MPEG-4.
Towercom began testing DVB-T2 in the Slovak capital, Bratislava, on the 31st August 2011.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 10th October 2011
DTT awards for local channels
The Slovak Council for Broadcasting and Retransmission has awarded licences for six new local digital TV stations.
Quoted by Digizone, Lubos Kuklis, the council’s director, said that Regionmedia had received two for station FORWE, GAAD REAL one for TV Presov, Devinskonoveská televizia one for DTV and the Qurtex group one for WYWAR.
Separately, the council has begun administrative proceedings for the withdrawal of analogue frequencies held by TV Markiza, Joj TV, the public broadcaster RTVS and Crea TV.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 19th September 2011
Slovak's TUSR takes back 800 MHz frequencies from Towercom
Following TUSR’s request for interest in the use of the “digital dividend” 800MHz frequencies by new operators it has officially taken back the frequencies in the 800 MHz band, (TV channels 61 to 69), which had previously been assigned to Towercom.
Towercom is tasked with providing the first DVB-T multiplex in Slovakia by the end of May 2015 and has already launched multiplex 1 to 95% of the population.
Earlier TUSR exchanged the 800MHz frequencies for others and extended licences and set a one-off charge for the new frequencies, which Towercom has paid.
Main source: Telecompaper
Item added: 22nd August 2011
New entrants express interest in 800MHz, and 2600MHz
Slovak regulator TUSR announced that it has been approached by advisors of several applicants interested in entering the Slovak market. The interest is mainly in the 800 MHz band (digital dividend) and 2600 MHz band. An interest in the frequencies and the opportunity to become the fourth mobile operator in the country has been signalled by a big operator from Asia, operating on three continents, the representatives of which visited TUSR on the 4th August. Mobilmania reports that they represented Vietnamese company Viettel Corp. The operator is interested in entering the national market and gradually penetrating Europe. TUSR will assign frequencies via a tender. It organized a public consultation and a workshop on the topic. The frequencies in the 2600 MHz band are used by operators for MMDS until the end of the year, while the frequencies in the 800 MHz band were originally assigned for multiplex DVB-T. TUSR plans for frequencies in both bands to be in use by operators by 2012.
Source: Telecompaper
Item added: 14th August 2011
Towercom completes DTT network
Slovakia’s basic DTT network is now complete according to the network operator Towercom.
Multiplex 1, allocated to public service broadcasting, was launched on the 6th June 2010 and now covers 95% of the population.
This was followed by the commercial multiplex 2, which was launched on the 28th June 2010 and now covers 91% of the population.
Towercom is Slovakia’s national transmission company and also jointly operates the DTH platform Skylink with the Czech Republic’s TradeTec.
The Slovak public broadcaster STV is expected to complete analogue switch off this August.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 4th July 2011
Analogue switch-off underway
Analogue switch-off by the public service broadcaster STV, began on the 9th March and will be completed in August 2011.
Currently a temporary DTT multiplex covering 90% of the population provides viewers with replacement services for the previous analogue terrestrial television platform.
Two further DTT multiplexes are being deployed. The first multiplex includes services from the public service broadcaster (STV1, STV2, STV3, STV1 HD) and is available to 60% of the population. The second multiplex is for the services of the commercial broadcasters.
Technical parameters for SVT are, 8k, 64QAM, FEC 2/3, GI 1/4, providing a bit rate of 19.91 Mbits/s.
Source: DigiTAG attributed to STV
Item added: 9th June 2011
Towercom increases DTT coverage
The two DTT multiplexes operated by Towercom have significantly increased their coverage according to information attributed to Strategie.
Multiplex 2 has increased its coverage from 7.8% to 91% since February and multiplex 2 from 7.8% to 91%.
The first multiplex which broadcasts the public channels STV1 and STV2, along with the commercial services TV Markiza and TV Joj will have increased its reach from around 17% in February to over 95% by the end of June.
In the same period of time the coverage of multiplex 2 which broadcasts TV Joj, Joj Plus, TV Markiza and TV Doma will have increased from 7.8% to 91%.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 31st May 2011
DVB-T2 for Slovakia
Digizone is quoted as reporting that the DVB-T2 trial mentioned previously for Zilina will take place next year.
Quoting a document on the strategy for the transition to digital broadcasting in Slovakia Digizone says that the move is “in accordance with the National Policy for Electronic Communications for the years 2009 to 2013.”
Slovakia will eventually make the transition to DVB-T2 but it will co-exist with DVB-T for some time.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 13th December 2010
DVB-T2 trial
Towercom has been granted permission by the Slovak Telecom Office (TUSR) to trial the DVB-T2 digital terrestrial TV transmission format.
The trial is authorised to take place from the 20th August until the 31st December this year.
TUSR has also given Towercom permission to undertake DVB-H trials for an unspecified period.
The DVB-T2 trials will be undertaken from transmitters based in Zilina and Zástranie.
Towercom officially launched Slovakia’s DTT operation in December last year.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 6th September 2010
Slovak DTT rollout on track
Slovakia’s recently launch DTT service aims to reach 91.5% of the population by the end of this month and 93.9% by the end of June, according to a report on the Broadband TV News website.
The item attributes the quotes to Peter Valentovic, Towercom’s technical director and deputy DG, in a presentation to dealers and quoted in Zive.
He added that both the second and third multiplexes, allocated to commercial and public TV services respectively, are scheduled to launch on June 30 this year.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 22nd March 2010
New service for DTT platform
The Slovakian Council for Broadcasting and Retransmission issued a nationwide DTT licence to Mööbel TV at their recent meeting on the 23rd February.
Mööbel TV is an entertainment service targeted at a young audience and it plans to integrate mobile and TV services with interactivity through mobile devices.
Source: RADA website
Item added: 1st March 2010
HD-DTT trial in February
Slovakia’s new DTT platform operated by Towercom will trial HD transmissions in February together with public broadcaster STV. The trial will use the MPEG-4 AVC compression technology rather than MPEG-2 and offer coverage of the Winter Olympics.
One multiplex is currently in operation and two further multiplexes are expected to launch in June.
According to news reports Towercom also plans to launch six new DVB-T transmitters in March.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 25th January 2010
Slovak DTT channel offering to increase
The country’s recently launched DTT platform is likely to be joined by TV Markiza.
A representative of network operator Towercom is reported as commenting that CME-owned TV Markiza is already one of its main customers.
Slovakia’s first multiplex launched last month has five channels which are, STV1, STV 2, Trojka, Joj and Joj Plus.
Before any change can take place the necessary legislation has to be enacted allowing the channel line up in the first multiplex to be amended.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 11th January 2010
DTT launched in Slovakia
Towercom officially launched its DVB-T DTT platform on the 22nd December 2009. The new service is a single MPEG-2 multiplex and replaces the pilot transmissions which have been operating for more than five years. The service can be received by 80% of the population and offers the three public channels, SVT1, SVT2, SVT3, along with commercial channels JOJ and JOJ PLUS.
Towercom has plans to launch a further two multiplexes in 2010.
Main source: Towercom
Item added: 28th December 2009
MPEG-2 on FTA platform
As reported previously both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 will be used on the countries DTT platform. Although MPEG-4 is to be used for the Pay-DTT platform, the free to air platform will use MPEG-2. The justification for this disparity is given as the fact that 20% of the population already have DVB-T/MPEG-2 decoders and receivers.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 16th November 2009
DTT launch by end 2009 may be delayed
DigiZone reports that the DTT platform operator Towercom may have difficulty in launching its new service by the end of the year.
The problem according to DigiZone is that so far no content providers have agreed to join the platform. Also, the plans to launch another multiplex in June 2010 with the content from the public service broadcaster STV may be in jeopardy. According to STV, it has not yet received information regarding transmission costs.
Source: DigiZone
Item added: 2nd November 2009
DTT service gets closer
Towercom has fulfilled the first of a series of conditions to become the operator of Slovakia’s new DTT platform reports Broadband TV News.
According to the Slovak Telecom Office (TU SR), payments for reserving frequencies on Multiplex 1 and Multiplex 2 together with an additional payment required for Multiplex 1 have been received.
Towercom won a DTT tender in August and is set to launch a platform, initially covering 79.7% of the population, at the end of this year.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 12th October 2009
DTT services to launch by year end
The Telecommunications Office (TU SR) has confirmed that commercial DTT services, starting with one multiplex, will launch by the end of 2009 and must be available to 79.7% of the population.
Coverage is expected to increase to 89.4% of the population by the end of March 2010.
A second multiplex, which will also offer commercial services, will be launched by the 30th June 2010. In addition a Free to air multiplex will also be launched by the end of June.
Analogue switch-off is expected to be completed by 2012.
Source: TU-SR website
Item added: 6th October 2009
Towercom discusses DTT plans
Following the award of a licence to operate three DTT multiplexes, Towercom has announced plans to launch the first multiplex early next year.
Broadband TV News, quoting the company’s chairman Roman Fischer, Medialne, reported that Towercom will simulcast right up to ASO in 2012 and use both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 compression.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 24th August 2009
Slovak DTT tender won by Towercom
Towercom has won the TUSR DTT tender, beating competition from Telecom Corp and Canada’s Valtech Communications. They will now operate three multiplexes, one of which is used for public broadcasting.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 17th August 2009
Digital Dividend consultation results
The communications regulator, TU SR, has published the results of its consultation on the digital dividend, which received nine responses.
TU-SR noted that 5 multiplexes will be reserved for DTT services and that it should be possible to provide 3 HD services in 720p coded in MPEG-4 (H.264, AVC) on each multiplex. (DVB-T only). Further multiplexes would also be possible on a local and regional level.
TU-SR also plans to implement the ITU's World Radio Conference 2007 (WRC-07) agreement to reserve the 790-862 MHz portion of Band V for mobile (IMT) services.
A tender for the use of such frequencies will take place prior to 2015 when the agreement comes into force.
Source: TU SR website
Item added: 25th May 2009
Tender opened for three DTT multiplexes
The Slovak Telecom Office (TUSR) has opened a tender for three DTT multiplexes reports Broadband TV News. One of the multiplexes will be allocated for public service broadcasting.
Preference will be given to candidates who can move to DVB-T2 so as to offer additional services.
The deadline for applications is 13.30 on the 16th July after which the selection process will be undertaken by a committee of members appointed by the president of the TUSR.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 18th May 2009 (amended 17th August 2009)
Slovak Telecom appoints new head
Ladislav Mikus has been appointed the new head of the Slovak Telecom Office (TUSR), which is one of the country’s leading regulators.
The report from Advanced-television.com and attributed to Strategie says that one of his first tasks will be to get Slovakia’s digitalisation process back on track again.
Last year a DTT tender was called off in controversial circumstance.
Source: Advanced Television.com
Item added: 16th February 2009
DTT tender reported as canceled
According to Digimedia and local news agencies the Slovak DTT tender has been canceled reports Broadband TV News.
As reported in previous items various obstacles including a legal challenge have delayed the tender process a process that has now been reportedly terminated.
The tender cancellation could be a major blow to Slovak DTT plans, which include an analogue switchoff in 2012.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 9th December 2008
Slovak DTT bidders emerge
Broadband TV News reports that four companies have expressed an interest in operating Slovakia’s first two DTT multiplexes.
It credits local reports as saying that the interested parties are Austria’s ORS, the Canadian group Valtech Communications and Slovak firms Towercom and Telecom Corp.
Telecom Corp has been operating a DTT trial in Presov and Kosice for some time.
The tender process is currently suspended following a legal challenge from Telecom Corp.
The Telecom Office (TU SR) is in the process of challenging this decision.
(for more info. see previous item)
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 24th November 2008
Legal challenge to DTT licensing
The DTT licensing procedure in Slovakia has been halted following a legal challenge taken by the broadcast network operator Telecom Corp.
Telecom Corp says that the licensing procedure is biased against some candidates because it calls for MPEG-4, H.264,AVC compression standard instead of the existing MPEG-2.
The national regulator TU SR had invited tenders for two multiplexes in August with the intention of allocating licences by the end of 2008.
TU.SR is to appeal the Court’s decision.
Telecom Corp is currently operating a trial DTT services in Kosice
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 20th October 2008
DTT Tender opened
The telecom Office (TU SR) is inviting candidates to tender for licences to operate two DVB-T multiplexes, reports Digitag.
The first multiplex is expected to provide a simulcast of the existing analogue terrestrial platform. Candidates must submit their applications by the 20th November 2008.
Analogue switch of in Slovakia is planned for 2012.
Source: Telecom Office website (source and translation thanks to Digitag)
Item added: 22nd August 2008
Trojka starts DTT broadcasts
The new Slovak channel STV3 (Trojka) made its debut on the 8th August reports Broadband TV News.
Local reports indicate the service will be made available on trial DTT operations in Bratislava and Banska Bystrica-Zvolen operated by Towercom.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 11th August 2008
DTT platform to use MPEG-4
Broadband TV News reports that the Slovak Telecom Office (TU SR) are said to have recommended the use of MPEG-4 compression for the country’s forthcoming DTT operation and also that a tender for the first multiplex, which will carry the leading public and commercial channels STV1, STV2, TV Markiza, TV Joj and TA3, is understood to be imminent.
Two further multiplexes are likely to be launched ahead of ASO in 2012.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 8th July 2008
Analogue Switch off campaign to begin in 2008
The Slovakian Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MDPT) will launch a digital publicity campaign in 2008 with a budget of SKK 125 million (€3.74 million), reports Broadband TV News.
Analogue switch-off is set to take place in 2012. Official DTT services have not yet been launched although extensive trials are underway.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 30th October 2007
DTT services expected to launch in early 2008
According to Broadband TV News, the leading Slovak stations STV, TV Markiza and TA3 have jointly agreed to share a common DTT multiplex during the transfer to digital broadcasting.
Services are expected to be launched soon after a new law on digital broadcasting is passed. This law is expected to come into effect at the beginning of 2008.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 13th March 2007
DTT Trials Start
A four-channel DTT trial operated by the Slovak Telecom a subsidiary of Rádiokomunikácie has begun in Bratislava according to Advanced-Television.com.
Rádiokomunikácie is 51% owned by Deutsche Telekom and has licences to undertake DTT trials in Bratislava and Banská Bystrica-Zvolen, while a company named Telecom Corp. is permitted to do so in Kosice-Presov.
Slovak Telecom undertook its first DTT trials in Bratislava during 1999 and the government approved a detail strategy for the implementation of DTT two years later. The analogue switch off date in Slovakia has been set for 2012, though it still remains unclear when a full service will make its debut.
Source: Advanced-Television Central and Eastern Europe
Item added: 29th November 2005
Previous
DTT progress in Slovakia
The launch of DTT moved closer in Slovakia with the news that Slovak Telecom has been awarded digital terrestrial frequencies in the capital, Bratislava.
Last year Deutsche Telekom-backed Slovak Telecom was granted frequencies in Banska Bystrica-Zvolen and Telecom Corp. in Kosice-Presov shortly after the country had passed a new electronic communications law.
Slovak Telecom’s licence in Bratislava is valid until mid-2006 and both it and Telecom Corp, are expected to begin trials shortly.
Source: Broadband TV News, Central and Eastern Europe
(May 6th 2005)
Three DTT pilot projects in Bratislava, Banska Bystrica and Zvolen, Presov and Kosice are planned to begin before the end of 2004. In fact it is reported that the transmitter in Kostice- Presov started pilot transmissions on the 25th October 2004. These projects are being jointly prepared by Slovak Telecom's Banska Bystrica-based research institute and Slovak Telecom Office, the countries regulator.
A commercial rollout is planned for 2005. Analogue switch off is expected in 2015.
The co-ordination of frequencies with neighbouring countries continues and when completed the transmitters should cover the whole of Slovakia with two multiplexes and an additional multiplex introduced later for major population areas.
1st December 2004
The information on this page comes from many sources and whilst DVB endeavour to ensure that it is correct, we cannot guarantee its complete accuracy.
Last update: 27th December 2011, Barry Tew
