North Queensland switchover area
Switchover period 1 July – 31 December 2011
december 2010
Canberra
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Belconnen ACT
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acma | 1
Contents (Continued)
Coverage evaluation matrix
Executive summary
North Queensland switchover area
Coverage evaluation
The ACMA’s CEP methodology
Digital channel plans
Implementation plans
Survey planning
Field survey measurement program
Same coverage
Signal-deficient areas
Fortuitous reception issues
Conclusion
Appendix A
North Queensland switchover area
Appendix B
Transmission sites in the North Queensland switchover area
Appendix C
Licence areas overlapping the North Queensland switchover area
Appendix D
Measurement locations in the North Queensland switchover area
Appendix E
Urban centre/locality-specific results for the North Queensland
switchover area
Coverage evaluation matrix
Category / Coveragedescription / Affected services / Evaluation / Description of issue
Field
strength / Reception quality
No issues / Strong / All / Suburban + 12 dB / Above threshold / n/a
Very good / Suburban + 6 dB / Above threshold / n/a
Good / Suburban / Above threshold / n/a
Minor issues / Adequate / At least
one below suburban threshold / Rural / Above threshold / While adequate coverage should provide good signal reception over an area, some statistical signal variations can cause occasional reception difficulties
Issues / Poor / At least
one below rural threshold / Below rural / Below threshold / Isolated*—
relates to an issue identified as affecting less than approximately 5% of the populated area
Patchy*—
relates to an issue identified as affecting between approximately 5% and 25% of the populated area
No coverage / All / Widespread*—relates to an issue identified as affecting more than approximately 25% of the populated area
*Please note that this percentage figure should not be used to calculate the percentage of the affected population
Executive summary
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) performed field survey measurements as part of its coverage evaluation program (CEP) across the North Queensland switchover area between July and September 2010. Based on the available information and evidence gathered through prediction modelling and survey measurements, the ACMA has determined that the planned digital services in the switchover area that have been rolled out are, in general, achieving the same level of coverage and potential reception quality in digital mode as is provided by existing analog television services (same coverage policy objective).[1]In coming to this conclusion,the CEP did note that band changes and localised terrain obstructions are potentially causing isolated coverage discrepancies between ABC and Southern Cross Media (TNQ) analog and digital simulcast services from the Townsville transmitter to the township of Bluewater (population 701).
While the ACMA has determined that broadcasters are generally achieving the same coverage policy objective, allowances for the different broadcast characteristics of analog and digital television signals must be considered and factored into the overall analysis. Bluewater is served by the Townsville transmitter, where ABC and Southern Cross Media (TNQ) analog services are operating in VHF bands II and III respectively, while the corresponding digital services are operating in UHF band IV broadcast spectrum. These band changes, coupled with localised terrain obstructions, are causing some apparent discrepancies between analog and digital coverage in an area to the south-west of the town.
Allowing for variable factors including the outlined legacy VHF analog services, existing broadcasting infrastructure, specific propagation conditions and differences between analog and digital broadcasting characteristics, the CEP has concluded that all digital services appear to have been appropriately planned and implemented to, as far as practicably possible, achieve the same coverage policy objective. The area of Bluewater, where band changes and localised terrain are causing apparent isolated discrepancies between ABC and TNQ simulcast services, is sparsely populated and the ACMA has concluded that any impact to viewers will be minimal.
While the ACMA has determined that licensed broadcasters in the switchover area are generally meeting their coverage obligations (except for the circumstance noted above), it is likely that a number of households in marginal or signal-deficient areas will experience poor analog and digital television reception. Palm Island (1,984) has been identified as having potential widespread reception issues. In addition, Bluewater (701), Giru (371), Ingham (4,605) and Rose Bay (298) are likely to experience patchy reception issues. The ACMA has identified other locations where analog and digital coverage inconsistency may cause isolated or minor reception issues (see Appendix E for area-specific details).
Further to broadcaster-operated services planned using the digital channel plan (DCP) process, there are five analog self-help retransmission facilities (providing a full complement of services) in this switchover area, namely Horseshoe Bay (484), Nelly Bay (973), Kelso, Alligator Creek (933) and Paluma (142).[2] None of these transmitters are currently included in the broadcaster’s candidate list for conversion. There is apossibility that Horseshoe Bay, Nelly Bay, Alligator Creek and Paluma will experience widespread signal deficiency after the digital switchover.
Three digital commercial services have been planned but not yet implemented at the Stuart translator.As a result,small areas in the south-east corner of Townsville currently receive only ABC and SBS digital services, and a full set of analog services from the Stuart translator.The ABC, SBS and TNQ digital services are planned but not currently operational from the Bowen Environs translator site. There are also WIN (RTQ) and TNQ digital services yet to roll out at the Collinsville translator.
Households situated in remote licence areas and digital terrestrial television signal-deficient areas will have access to the Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service in line with applicable access arrangements. The locality of Gumlu (177) falls within an overlap area between the Regional Queensland TV1 licence area and Remote Central and Eastern TV1 and TV2 licence areas, meaning they will be able to access the VAST service subject to access arrangements specific to remote licence areas.
The ACMA has received IPs for the majority of planned services listed in the DCPs for this switchover area. The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has approved the majority of expected IPs for the ABC and SBS (national services).The ACMA is currently assessing IPs for Prime and WIN services at Stuart as well as WIN services at Collinsville. The ACMA is continuing to liaise with the ABC, SBS and SCM on outstanding IPs for services at Bowen, and with SCM for services at Stuart and Collinsville. All other IPs for planned commercial services listed in the DCPs for this switchover area have been approved.
On 11 May 2010, the government announced that a substantial number of existing analog self-help retransmission facilities/services will be converted to digital. It was also announced that a number of new digital ‘gap filler’ sites will be implemented to provide terrestrial television coverage to nominated areas. The conversion of self-help facilities and the installation of gap filler sites is largely a decision for broadcasters and incumbent licensees. Presently, broadcasters are considering the installation of a gap filler site at Summer Hill, south of the existing site at Bowen, to extend and/or improve digital television coverage to this area. These services are not planned in the DCPs and broadcasters are not legislatively obligated to submit IPs or rollout the services at any given point in time. At present, none of the analog self-help retransmission sites in the North Queensland switchover area are on the broadcaster’scandidate list for conversion.Until a finalised list of self-help conversions and gap filler installations is officially announced, this information should be considered as indicative only.
North Queensland switchover area
The North Queensland switchover area (refer to Appendix A) is located within the Regional QueenslandTV1 licence area. The switchover area overlaps the Remote Central and Eastern Australia TV1 and TV2 licence areas (refer to Appendix C).
The switchover area covers approximately 24,460 square kilometres and, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Census data, has an estimated population of 201,721. For the purposes of the ACMA’s coverage assessments, a total of 42urban centres/localitieswere identified within the switchover area.[3]
The North Queensland switchover area is served by one main transmitter located at Townsville, with seven broadcaster-owned and -operated translator sites and five analog-only self-help re-transmission transmitters owned and operated by local councils (refer toAppendix B). Table 1 and 2 outline all sites in the switchover area and provide a summary of services and switchover characteristics/solutions.A/D indicates analog or digital transmission, letters designate the service call sign and numbers designate the radiofrequency channel.If the service has not yet been rolled out, the call sign is in bold text.
Table 1 Broadcaster-owned and -operated sitesArea served / Switchover solution / ABC / SBS / Net. 7
(Prime) / Net. 9
(WIN) / Net. 10
(SCM)
Townsville
(main transmitter) / Broadcaster converted—DCP planned, IP required, same coverage obligation. / A:ABTQ3
D:ABQ31 / A:SBS28
D:SBS37 / A:STQ34
D:STQ38 / A:RTQ40
D:RTQ41 / A:TNQ7
D:TNQ36
Ayr / Broadcaster converted—DCP planned, IP required, same coverage obligation. / A:ABTQ63
D:ABTQ62 / A:SBS57
D:SBS56 / A:STQ60
D:STQ59 / A:RTQ66
D:RTQ65 / D:TNQ53
Bowen Environs / Broadcaster converted—DCP planned, IP required, same coverage objective. / A:ABTQ5A
D:ABTQ11 / A:SBS48
D:SBS12 / A:TNQ1
D:TNQ51
Bowen Town / Broadcaster converted—DCP planned, IP required, same coverage obligation. / D:ABTQ49 / A:SBS57
D:SBS34 / A:STQ50
D:STQ46 / A:RTQ44
D:RTQ43 / A:TNQ41
D:TNQ40
Charters Towers / Broadcaster converted—DCP planned, IP required, same coverage obligation. / A:ABQ44
D:ABQ54 / A:SBS62
D:SBS51 / A:STQ50
D:STQ57 / A:RTQ56
D:RTQ63 / A:TNQ53
D:TNQ60
Collinsville[4] / Broadcaster converted—DCP planned, IP required, same coverage obligation. / A:ABQ55
D:ABQ56 / A:SBS52
D:SBS53 / A:STQ58
D:STQ59 / A:RTQ64
D:RTQ65 / A:TNQ61
D:TNQ62
Stuart / Broadcaster converted—DCP planned, IP required, same coverage obligation. / A:ABTQ59
D:ABTQ54 / A:SBS56
D:SBS51 / A:STQ62
D:STQ57 / A:RTQ65
D:RTQ63 / A:TNQ68
D:TNQ60
Townsville North / Broadcaster converted—DCP planned, IP required, same coverage obligation. / A:ABTQ55
D:ABQ54 / A:SBS52
D:SBS51 / A:STQ58
D:STQ57 / A:RTQ64
D:RTQ63 / A:TNQ61
D:TNQ60
Table 2 Self-help retransmission sites
Area served / Switchover solution / ABC / SBS / Net. 7
(Prime) / Net. 9
(WIN) / Net. 10
(SCM)
Alligator Creek / Community-funded analog—not planned in DCP, no IPs, no same coverage requirement.
Not on broadcaster candidate list for conversion. / A:ABTQ58 / A:SBS55 / A:STQ64 / A:RTQ67 / A:TNQ61
Horseshoe Bay / Community-funded analog—not planned in DCP, no IPs, no same coverage requirement.
Not on broadcaster candidate list for conversion. / A:ABTQ56 / A:SBS59 / A:STQ65 / A:RTQ68 / A:TNQ62
Kelso / Community-funded analog—not planned in DCP, no IPs, no same coverage requirement.
Not on broadcaster candidate list for conversion. / A:ABTQ59 / A:SBS56 / A:STQ62 / A:RTQ65 / A:TNQ68
Nelly Bay / Community-funded analog—not planned in DCP, no IPs, no same coverage requirement.
Not on broadcaster candidate list for conversion. / A:ABTQ30 / A:SBS39 / A:STQ42 / A:RTQ45 / A:TNQ33
Paluma / Community-funded analog—not planned in DCP, no IPs, no same coverage requirement.
Not on broadcaster candidate list for conversion. / A:ABTQ59 / A:SBS56 / A:STQ62 / A:RTQ65 / A:TNQ68
Coverage evaluation
The ACMA’s CEP methodology
Figure 1Methodology for the ACMA’s CEPFigure 1 outlines the multi-layered methodology for the ACMA’s CEP. This program seeks to assess whether the same coverage objective has been met by relevant broadcasters in a particular switchover area.
The CEP also seeks to determine the boundaries of digital terrestrial coverage, identify areas of marginal or inconsistent digital terrestrial coverage, and verify the planning technical specifications and assumptions provided by broadcasters in their implementation plans. In addition, the program provides essential feedback on the accuracy of the ACMA’s initial desktop propagation modelling.
Digital channel plans
To facilitate the introduction of digital television, the ACMA developed national and commercial digital channel plans (DCPs) in line with the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Planning Handbook and its obligations under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA). DCPs determine which channels are to be allotted to each area, the assignment of channels to each broadcaster in that area and the technical characteristics of those channels.
DCPs are developed to give broadcasters the maximum envelope in which to plan their digital transmission coverage for an area, in order to achieve the policy objective of the same level of coverage and potential reception quality as is available in analog mode.
Both national and commercial Queensland: Part 2: Regional QueenslandDCPs werefinalised in October 2001,and variedin August 2003 and July, August, October and December 2004. Variations were undertaken in consultation with broadcasters to facilitate the addition of technical specifications for various repeater sites throughout the switchover area.
Implementation plans
In accordance with the national and commercial television conversion schemes prepared by the ACMA under Schedule 4 to the BSA, commercial and national television broadcasters are required to prepare implementation plans (IP) relating to the conversion of the transmission of their services from analog to digital mode. IPs are a commitment by individual broadcasters to provide a television service in digital mode from specified sites to cover defined areas by specified dates. The aim is to achieve the same coverage in standard definition television digital mode as that service provides in analog mode. This objective is to be achieved as soon as is practicable after the simulcast period begins.
The ACMA has received IPs for the majority of planned services listed in the DCPs for this switchover area. The minister has approved the majority of expected IPs for ABC and SBS (national services). The ACMA is currently assessing IPs for Prime and WIN services at Stuart, as well as WIN services at Collinsville. The ACMA is continuing to liaise with the ABC, SBS, and SCM about outstanding IPs for services at Bowen, and with SCM for services at Stuart and Collinsville. All other IPs for planned commercial services listed in the DCPs for this switchover area have been approved.
As previously mentioned, broadcasters have planned services for this area in addition to services listed in the DCPs. This being the case, there is no obligation for broadcasters to submit IPs to the ACMA.
Survey planning
As part of its methodology for assessing same coverage and potential reception quality, the ACMA undertakes desktop coverage modelling of a switchover area. This takes into account terrain, complaints to the ACMA from viewers within the area and, where possible, technical specifications of transmission facilities as outlined in implementation plans provided by broadcasters.
At the time of writing, a total of sixcomplaints were initiated in the North Queenslandswitchover area. The issues range from problems with receptionto lack of programming content. In addition, a total of 81‘Out of Area Direct to Home’ satellite applications were approved within the licence area.[5]
The findings of the desktop modelling process inform the ACMA field survey measurement program. The North Queenslandswitchover area survey planning provides guidance to the ACMA’s field staff on where field measurements within the switchover market should be conducted. This includes predicted or potential reception-deficient areas and other information on transmission facilities in the area.
Field survey measurement program
The field survey measurement program enables the ACMA to acquire technical and signal data associated with analog and digital TV coverage and reception quality within a switchover area. The program is part of the ACMA’s CEP (Figure 1) and seeks to verify the information provided by broadcasters in their IPs as well as the predictions made as part of the ACMA’s initial desktop modelling.
The ACMA’s CEP performed field survey measurements at 257locations throughout the North Queensland switchover area in July and September2010 (see Appendix D).
The measurement results have been analysed and compared against the most appropriate coverage prediction models for the area. Field survey results align closely with predicted coverage findings and provide the ACMA with a high level of confidence in its CEP methodologies.
Same coverage
Policy objectives under Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 4 to the BSA state that national and commercial broadcasters must, as soon as practicable after the start of the simulcast period, provide the same level of coverage and potential reception quality in digital mode as is broadcast in analog mode.[6]
The CEP identified some apparent discrepancies between analog and digital television coverage withABC and TNQ services to an area in the south-west of Bluewater. These discrepancies are likely caused by localised terrain obstructions and because analogABC and TNQ digital services are operating ina different broadcast service band to corresponding digital simulcast services (band change). These band changes from VHF analog to UHF digital, coupled with generally weak and terrain-obstructed services, appear to be causing some discrepancies between the coverage of analog and digital services.
An assessment of the affected services indicated that all digital services appear to have been appropriately planned and implemented to, as far as practicably possible, achieve the same coverage policy objective. When assessing same coverage, a number of factors and constraints must be considered and factored into a broader assessment. Relevant considerations include CEP measurement data, a limited number of legacy VHF analog services, existing broadcasting infrastructure, specific propagation conditions, and different analog and digital broadcasting characteristics. Potentially affected areas in Bluewater are sparsely populated and any impact to viewers will be minimal.