In Search of Access Equality
The chairman of AsiaSpace and former secretary
general of the ITU comments on the direction of global digital
services
Richard E. Butler
In the April 11 issue of Radio World, I read the
guest commentary "It’s Radio, Jim, But Not as We Know
It" by Quentin Howard, which provided some interesting generic
insights but fell away on some critical elements.
We all know a major factor in the success of DAB
will be the achievement of effective cost reductions in digital
receivers and terminals. So with the years of availability of
the Eureka-147 specifications, it must be disappointing that the
mass production encouraged by your guest commentator has not come
about.
System development
The sentiments can be appreciated for I am well
aware of the huge efforts that have gone into its development
as a specification standard over the past decade or more.
But it is the gratuitous advice that has been given
to countries like Australia – "DRM would be ideal for
the Outback and Eureka for its metropolitan cities" –
that needs correction.
First, such a suggestion flies in the face of a
long-standing objective of the search for technologies to enable
the prospect of universal service throughout the nation –
this means to Australians living on the continent and also the
associated Australian small islands.
In the current era of human, economic, political
and related rights, many governments are required to address the
reach of new technologies and services to the underserved rural
and remote areas of their countries.
Shortfalls of the past, taken for granted on economic
considerations, are no longer valid for satisfying the aspirations
of those rural and remote communities for whom quality radio and
associated services are a vital yearning and need.
What is at issue now is the strength of national
values and the search for solutions to provide reasonable equality
of access.
Indeed, in regards to Australia, there is a parliamentary
inquiry into the radio industry over services to the non-metropolitan
areas.
Common user sharing
As to Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) technology developments,
there must be major policy, budgetary and operational cost issues
related to available HF spectrum and parallel running, having
moved off the earlier intended change to single sideband, which
could have been accommodated with somewhat easier transition arrangements.
In 1993, following WARC 92, Australia notified
the ITU of a proposed L-band DAB satellite system at 151.5 degrees
east with particular spot beams within the nation.
But in 1999, the notification was modified to provide
for a potential system of three independent subregional beams,
each with prime coverage, as follows: A, Australia and its small
islands, Papua New Guinea and East Timor; B, the South Pacific;
and C, parts of Asia (mainly the ASEAN area).
The common user-sharing opportunities of a satellite
capability for direct DAB transmission to personal and portable
receivers may well enable a mix of complementary, low-cost terrestrial
single-frequency networking.
At the same time, it may well provide both efficient
spectrum use and the business case to widen service access beyond
the simple and expensive terrestrial solutions that have been
advocated by particular interests.
But there are other changes toward enhancing specifications
and low-cost service opportunities.
Enhancing specifications
For example, the initial WorldSpace satellite delivery
specifications (system D) have now been extended. International
recognition has been given in the ITU-R process, to provide for
spatial diversity (repeated "second" with a slightly
delayed signal transmission) and now a modern MCM application
for low-powered retransmission – now known as a hybrid satellite/terrestrial
standard.
These enhancements will go into the commercialization
phase in 2002.
They will facilitate service where line-of-sight
may be hindered – in tunnels, under bridges and in built-up
areas.
In reality, this development fits well with the
intention of WARC 92 for spectrum allocation for BSS (satellite
radio broadcasting and complementary terrestrial coverage).
Now let us turn to the vital question of receiver
price reductions. The initial WorldSpace receivers of three years
back may have come to market in the $200 to $300 range, but this
has already been halved for the receivers of the original four
manufacturers from Japan.
Moreover, other manufacturers are now active in
China, India, Indonesia, Korea and Thailand with major price downturns
to below $100.
One unit going into mass production is expected
to come to market for $60, with basic features of addressability,
connection to other multimedia products and desktop computers.
In another instance, there is the low-cost addition
of the L-band DAB service feature to a CD multiplayer unit at
minimum cost to the market, which has led to action toward the
export of the product to other countries – developed and
developing.
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Fig. 2: Accredited WorldSpace Receivers
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Affordable receivers
You will note the accent on service delivery, as
well as on the comparative indications of unmatched current price
levels to other digital systems. As I indicated, there is the
evidence for further price reductions sooner rather than later.
Moreover, already in service is multimedia downstreaming
– quality sound with graphics, image and text. This is opening
up many support possibilities for agriculture, education, environment,
health and tourism, and for small community traders with fixed,
portable and mobile access.
Indeed multimedia and datastreaming services are
already in operation through PC card accessories to receivers
to desktop computers or direct via accredited versions of yagi
antennas with card connector direct to desktop PCs and from both
AfriStar and AsiaStar.
In July 2001, WorldSpace and its China joint-venture
partner ChinaSat commissioned a new hub uplink earthstation in
Beijing for uplinking to the AsiaStar northeast beam deliver DSB
services in China and the neighboring areas. China has opted to
use the L-band spectrum allocation for satellite DRB.
Action is well in hand for uplinking both quality
radio and multimedia information services to the addressable receivers
and terminals throughout China.
In summary, the WorldSpace system has been in operation
for some three years and has provided quality performance beyond
expectations. There has been the international recognition of
the extension of the initial satellite delivery specifications
for efficient and effective spectrum use with hybrid satellite/terrestrial
means of delivery for fixed and mobile applications.
There have been the significant and major reductions
in the consumer prices for the personal and portable receivers
and terminals. Further downward reductions are in the pipeline
Richard (Dick) E. Butler is chairman of AsiaSpace
and former secretary general of the International Telecommunications
Union (ITU).
