Published:
16-Jan-08
Hong Kong's official launch of digital terrestrial service on 31 December 2007 went smoothly, according to regulator Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA). Adopting the mainland China standard DMB-T/H, DTT launch was supported by two major local free-to-air broadcasters, Asia Television (ATV) and Television Broadcasts (TVB): as well as simulacasting their anaogue channels, ATV and TVB will launch new services. TVB's offer includes Jade HD, a high definition version of its flagship channel. DTT is currently available to 50 per cent of Hong Kong's population. ATV and TVB are working to improve DTT coverage to 75 per cent just before the Beijing Olympics in August. Hong Kong's DTT launch features two tiers of services which include a basic tier of four free to air standard definition channels and a higher tier to have both standard definition and high-definition channels. Analogue switch-off is set for 2012.
Our take...
The long-expected Hong Kong DTT launch on the last day of the year kept the promise of launch by 2007. Launch marks the debut of the winning DTT standard from mainland China, as full DTT service has yet to be officially rolled out in China. Following the confirmation of the mainland China developed standard in July 2007, a trial service has been launched to test reception quality. Launch is just in time to tie in with Beijing Olympic Games, which are expected to boost DTT service uptake.
Hong Kong,
