Croatia to launch pay DTT
Croatian transmission company OiV and Croatia Post (HP) are planning to launch a pay DTT service using the DVB-T2 standard in November.
HP, which won a tender for multiplexes C and E at the end of 2011, is now negotiating with channels. OiV plans a soft launch in September and a commercial launch by the end of 2012. The initial coverage will reach over 82 per cent of total homes, which will be extended to 95 per cent of homes by the end of 2014.
Details of the channel line-up of the planned services remain undisclosed. However due to the use of DVB-T2 technology there may over 20 channels, including HDTV. Three multiplexes are now in operation in Croatia, broadcasting ten national and over 20 regional channels. Public broadcaster HTV recently launched a cultural channel, HTV 3, and is planning to launch a fourth channel in the near future.
Source: ScreenDigest
Date: September 21, 2012
Croatian regulator certifies DVB-T2 network
Croatian telecommunications sector regulator Hakom completed the technical tests and cerfitied that local operator Odasiljaci i Veze (OiV) fulfills the conditions to operate digital multiplexes C and E in the DVB-T2 standard, as set down in licence. As a result, the first phase of setting up the DVB-T2 system has been completed, with transmitters installed and in operation at the 12 most important locations in the country, covering 82 percent of the Croatian population.
Source: Telecom Paper
3 Aug 2012
Croatian DVB-T2 Agreements Signed
Croatian Post and Croatia’s national transmission company OiV have signed a 10-year digital TV cooperation agreement for two DVB-T2 multiplexes, eventually covering at least 95% of the country.
Source: Broadband TV News
17 Feb 2012
DVB-T2 planned for 2 multiplexesThe current DVB-T2 tests in Croatia will lead to commercial DVB-T2 services on two multiplexes starting next year, according to HAKOM deputy director Zeljko Tabakovic. It was also said that DVB-T will continue to be used for free to air services.
Croatia completed analogue switch-off in 2010.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 14th November 2011
DTT Receiver technical requirements published
The Croatian regulator HAKOM has published recommendations on the minimum technical requirements for digital terrestrial TV receivers (DVB-T and DVB-T2) in the country.
The four receiver categories listed are as follows: DVB-T/DVB-T2 for decoding MPEG-2 signals in SD; TV sets with integrated DVB-T/DVB-T2 receivers decoding MPEG-2 signals in SD; DVB-T/DVB-T2 receivers to decode MPEG-4 signals in HD as a stand-alone device (MPEG-4 HD STB) that connects to a TV set; and TV set with DVB-T/DVB-T2 receiver to decode MPEG-4 signals in HD (HD MPEG-4 IDTV.
More detailed information can be found on the HAKOM website.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 19th September 2011
Multiplex D gains three services
Three broadcasting licenses, of 15year duration each, have been awarded by the Croatian Electronic Media Council (AEM) for services on Multiplex D.
One of the licenses was awarded to Autor for its music service CMC. A second license went to the Croatian Olympic Committee (HOO TV) for its sports service Sportska and the third to Kapital Net for its business service Kapital Network. Services have to start within 90 days of the award.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 20th December 2010
More DTT channels for Croatia
RTL Televija and Nova TV are preparing to launch more channels on the country’s second DTT multiplex.
RTV Televija, who already broadcasts RTL Plus, will launch an entertainment based service called RTL 2 on or before the 2nd January. They also have plans to launch a kids channel named RTL Dice according to Broadband TV News.
Nova TV a commercial station operated by CME expects to launch a new women’s channel named Doma TV during the Christmas period.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 13th December 2010
HAKOM asks for proposals on future DTT services
The Croatian Post and Electronic Communications Agency HAKOM, has invited all interested parties to express interest for the building and management of digital terrestrial networks and /or for the type of electronic communications services and the way to provide them via the available DTT network capacity.
Both potential network operators and multiplex operators are invited to describe the services that they would like to provide.
Proposals should be sent to HAKOM by 17 January 2011.
Source: HAKOM website
Item added: 22nd November 2010
Croatia completes switch to DVB-T
Croatia has announced that it has completed digital switchover, with the country’s D4 region, encompassing Zagreb and the surrounding area, Sisak and Krapina-Zagorje county, switching off analogue services via high-power transmitters on the morning of the 5th October.
Croatia’s digital transition was completed in just under a year, having kicked off on the 26th January in Istria and Primorje-Gorski Kotar county.
At the moment Croatia has two national DTT multiplexes (A and B) broadcasting an almost identical line-up of channels, although this will change with the launch of the national channel RTL-2 and Doma TV. A third multiplex allocated to local and regional services, as well as a new national channels, will soon be launched
Croatia will however continue to deliver analogue signals to about 6,000 households in areas outside digital coverage via low-power transmitters until the end of the year.
Source: Digital TV Europe.net and Broadband TV News
Item added: 11th October 2010
Two new DTT channels for Croatia
Croatia’s Council for Electronic Media (VEM) has awarded digital licences to commercial broadcasters Nova TV and RTL Televizija to launch channels on Multiplex B.
The channels will be called Doma TV and RTL2 and the licences last for 15 years.
Both channels will offer specialised programming, with RTL2 focussed on entertainment and Doma TV, according to CME, high quality content and film premieres.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 20th September 2010
1 million DTT households after September 7th
The analogue TV transmitters of Croatia's national broadcasters will be shut down at midnight on the 7th September in the D8 region, which covers the areas of the Split-Dalmatia County and a small part of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County.
With the switchover of this region to digital broadcasting, the number of digital terrestrial TV households in Croatia will reach 1 million.
The programmes of the national broadcasters in the D8 region will be broadcast via digital channels K-33 (MUX A) and K-53 (MUX B).
Source: Telecompaper
Item added: 6th September 2010
Kapital Network wins tender for DVB-T network
Kapital Network, the Croatian business channel, has been awarded a national concession to begin experimental DVB-T broadcasts.
The network has been available to consumers via cable, satellite and IPTV since May 2006 and has 500,000 households. With the new concession their programmes will soon be available to anyone with a DVB-T receiver.
The tender issued by the Electronic Media Council was for three specialist TV channels and the agreement lasts until the 31st December after which time a new tender for a longer period will be announced.
Source: advanced-television.com
Item added: 22nd February 2010
ASO programme to start on 26th January
Analogue switch off in Croatia will begin for national broadcasters on the 26th January in the “D5” region which covers Istria county, part of Primorje-Gorski Kotar county and part of Lika-Senj county.
On the 3rd March ASO will take place in the “D3” region which covers Međimurje, Varaždin, Koprivnica-Križevci, and part of Bjelovar-Bilogora.
Zadar, Šibenik-Knin, and part of Lika-Senj in the “D7”region as well as part of Dubrovnik-Neretva in the “D9” region will also make the switch on the 3rd March.
Switch off in the “D2” region of Bjelovar-Bilogor, Virovitica-Podravina, Pozega-Slavonia and Brod-Posavina takes place on the 20th July followed by Karlovac in “D6” and Split-Calmatia in “D8” on the 17th August.
The switch off process will be completed when Zagreb, Sisak-Moslavina, Krapina-Zagorje (“D4”) convert on the 5th October.
Communications regulator HAKOM has also launched a tender for licences to operate regional services. By early March HAKOM expect to announce the licence winners who will operate Multiplex D in the D1, D3, D5, D7 and D9 regions.
To ease the transition to digital transmission the Government has made a DVB-T receiver purchase subsidy available to all households. Reports say that, 1.1 million subsidy vouchers have already been issued.
It is estimated that 53% of households are already equipped with a DTT receiver.
Source: advanced-television.com
Item added: 25th January 2010
Two multiplexes to launch using MPEG-2
It is expected that Croatia will use the MPEG-2 compression format when it launches two DVB-T multiplexes next month.
This information has been given by a representative of the broadcast network operator OiV, which holds the licence to operate the two multiplexes and contradicts earlier reports that MPEG-4 would be used.
The multiplexes currently provide 87% population coverage which will be extended to 90% by the end of June.
The licensing conditions require coverage of 95% and 98% of the population by the completion of the digital switchover.
It is not yet clear if further DTT multiplexes will be launched and whether or not the MPEG-4 (H.264, AVC) compression format will be used.
Source: Digitag attributed to OiV
Item added: 1st June 2009
OiV awarded DTT licence
The communications regulator HAKOM has awarded a 10-year licence to operate two DTT multiplexes to the broadcast network operator OiV.
An unsuccessful bid for the licence was also submitted by the incumbent telecom operator in Croatia, Hrvatksi Telekom (HT).
OiV will be required by the licence conditions to roll-out the DTT networks to 95% of the population, using MPEG-4 AVC compression and DVB-T.
Digital switchover is expected to be completed by the 1st January 2011.
Source: Hakom website
Item added: 8th May 2009
Croatia gets 2 bids for DTT
The Croatian Agency for Post and Electronic Communications (Hakom) has received two bids in the tender for digital TV frequency licences. The regulator will reach a decision by 28 April, according to local media reports. The bids came from Odasiljaci i Veze (OiV) and T-Hrvatski Telekom (T-HT). Hakom published the tender at the end of January, with a 30 March deadline for submitting bids. The tender is for a DTT network operator in the 470-862 MHz band for two multiplexes. The licence will be issued for a 10-year period to a company registered in Croatia that can guarantee at least 95 percent population coverage
Source: Telecompaper
Item added: 7th April 2009
Candidate invited to bid for DTT licence
The Post and Electronic Communications Agency has invited candidates to tender for a DTT licence. The licence will provide the right to operate two DTT multiplexes for a ten-year period.
Both multiplexes must provide services to 95% of the population.
Candidates must submit their applications by 30 March 2009 and a decision is expected by 28 April 2009.
This invitation follows on from the strategy presented by the government in July 2008. It is expected that the MPEG-4 AVC compression technology will be used.
Source: Hrvatska agencija (2 Feb) items thanks to Digitag
Item added: 9th February 2009
Seven new DTT channels for Croatia
HRT, the Croatian state broadcaster plans to launch seven new digital channels during the next few years. The first new channels will deal with sport followed by a news/information and production channel dealing with Croatian issues. Later after the analogue switch of in 2011 other channels dedicated to music, TV series and movies, documentaries and kids will be added. HRT’s main competitor is also increasing its channel offer.
The launch of DTT in the country will increase the number of national channels from 5 to 32 with up to 5 local channels available on first multiplex.
HRT has also launched a trial HD service for Euro 2008 in Zagreb, Split, Rijeka and Osijek, which covers around 1.5 million people. MPEG-4, H.264 coding and DVB-T are being used to provide the HD service.
Source: advanced-television.com
Item added: 26th June 2008
Croatia update
Pilot DVB-T transmissions started in 2002 from two transmitters in Sljeme and HRT dom.
There are now nine DVB-T transmitters in operation:
Sljeme (14.0kW ERP), HRT dom (1kW ERP), Unka (Mux1, 100kW ERP), Ucka (Mux 2, 16kW ERP), Josipovac (1.0kW ERP) Labinstica (5.0kW ERP) Srd (5.0kW ERP) Ugljan (2.5kW ERP), Brac (8.0kW ERP).
All are set for 64QAM modulation, a code rate of 2/3, a guard interval of 1/8th and use 8k carriers in an 8MHz bandwidth.
The current single multiplex carries 4 TV programmes and covers 70% of the population.
The coverage of the first multiplex was complemented by additional gapfiller sites in Vsar, Pula II, Porec, Buje, Rovinj, Pazin, Plomin, Umag, Novigrad, Pula, Koromacno, Plovanija, Rabac, Rasa and Trget.
A second multiplex is planned for launch initially from one transmitter site in Ucka with gapfillers in Vsar, Pula II, Porec, Buje, Rovinj, Pazin, Plomin, Umag, Novigrad, Pula.
An HDTV trial by HRT in Zagreb started during 2007 on Ch 26 with 1500Watts ERP. The picture resolution is 1080i and uses MPEG-4, H.264 compression.
The video bit rate is 18.5 Mbit/s on a 64QAM modulated transmission with a code rate of 2/3 and a guard interval of 1/8th .As with the SDTV transmissions 8k carriers are used in an 8 MHz channel.
Source: DVB-T in Croatia presentation from Odasiljaci I Veze d.o.o. Transmitters and Communications Ltd. December 2007.
Item added: 1st April 2008
Two new DTT services for Croatia
The public service broadcaster HRT has been given permission to launch two new television services by the competition body AZTN. The services known as HRT3 and HRT4 and will start broadcasting after analogue switch off, which is planned for 2010.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 11th February 2008
Croatia encourages DTT pilot with financial help
A DTT pilot programme in the coastal region of Istria is to be helped by the use of special coupons.
The coupons worth HRK 200 (€27) go towards the purchase of a Set Top Box and will be distributed to viewers until the 20th November for use by the 30th June 2008.
Viewers will be able to access DTT services on two multiplexes, one on UHF channel 28, providing commercial broadcasters from Nova TV, RTL Televizija and two additional services not yet licensed.
The remaining multiplex will provide services from the public service broadcaster, which includes HRT1, HRT2, HRT3 (sports and entertainment) and HRT4 (news).
Analogue switch-off is expected to be completed by 2010.
Source: advanced-television.com
Item added: 16th October 2007
Croatia prepares for DVB-T/DVB-H trial
Broadband TV News reports that Croatian satellite service provider Croatel has obtained permission from the country’s telecommunications agency to undertake a DVB-T/DVB-H trial in Zagreb and other major cities. It now plans to establish an MPEG-4 platform offering one HD and five SD channels. No final decision has yet been made by the Croatian regulatory authorities on what compression standard will eventually be used, or indeed the method of funding set-top boxes.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 13th February 2007
Croatia DTT update
Preparations are well underway for an official launch of DTT services in 2007. A DTT trial has been running since May 2002 providing 4 television programme services in a single multiplex using MPEG-2.
Content comes from HTV1 and HTV2 (both public service broadcasters) and from RTL and Nova (both commercial broadcasters). Regional content may also be made available this year as well as an additional multiplex.
A DVB-H trial is also planned fro Zagreb.
DVB-T signals currently cover 75% of the population, broadcast from 7 transmitters.
An additional 10 transmitters will be added by the end of the year increasing coverage to 90%.
It is hoped that the legislation to provide a framework for the launch of DTT services in Croatia will be approved by the end of the year.
80% of the population watch terrestrial TV, 10-15% Cable and approximately 2% satellite TV.
Source: Digitag Web Letter July 2006
Item added: 17th July 2006
Croatia starts DTT trials
Croatia has begun DTT broadcasts in the capital, Zagreb, and coastal town of Rijeka. In Zagreb, broadcasts are undertaken through two transmitters – HRT Dom (UHF 56) and Sljeme (UHF 27) – while in Rijeka, broadcasts are employing the Ucka (UHF 28) transmitter.
The transmissions from Sljeme can also be received in parts of neighbouring Slovenia, while those from Ucka cover the Adriatic and Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. A fourth transmitter will soon also be activated in the eastern town of Osijek (UHF 33) and cover parts of neighbouring Serbia. The DVB-T multiplex currently carries Croatia’s four principal channels – HRT1, HRT2, Nova TV and RTL Televizija
Source: Digitag
Item added: 27th June 2005
Croatia Background
An experimental DVB-T system was started in May 2002. Two transmitters were installed by Croatian national television (HRT), each of approximately 250W. They cover the city of Zagreb and the surrounding area, which has a population of around 800,000. The objective of the trail is to test different modes of operation and in particular SFN’s and the protection ratio’s necessary for co existence with analogue TV transmissions.
It is expected that 6 multiplexes will finally be needed but at present there are no free channels available.
The government has still to announce official plans for the introduction of DVB-T and a switch off date for the present analogue TV transmissions.
Source http://www.ero.dk/dvbt-impl
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