Future of UHF (FUHF)

Jarkko Paavola 12.3.2015 / 5thGear Seminar

www.turkuamk.fi
 Story so far..
Media consumption is facing disruption, where audiovisual materials are
consumed more and more via mobile networks
Mobile terminals are becoming more advanced and commonly available
Media consumption is changing from live TV to on-demand or recorded content.
Mobile devices are becoming more and more popular for consuming video
content.
Media distribution is moving to IP networks. Netflix has over 50 million
subscribers worldwide and, also, broadcasting companies are offering on-
demand and live content via IP networks.
Content production for video streaming identifies new entrants
The distribution of TV content is moving from on-demand by professional actors
to user generated content spreading via social media (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo)
Disruption have resulted in
Changing business models
Increasing demand for utilizing spectrum resources efficiently
Related problem is asymmetry between downlink and uplink in mobile network
Wide discussion has been initiated for the future of UHF frequency band
www.turkuamk.fi
 Consortium
Steering group members
Research partners
Turku University of Applied Sciences Nokia
Digita Networks
University of Turku
YLE
bo Akademi University
Fairspectrum
VTT
Suomen Schneider
RF-Tuote
TeliaSonera
Elisa
Sony Europe
FICORA
 UHF State-of-the-Art at EU level
High Level Group (HLG)
Aim was to give strategic advice to the Commission for developing a
European strategy on the future use of the UHF band
Group didnt achieve consensus group leader Pascal Lamy published
29.8.2014 report Results of the work of the high level group on the future
use of the UHF band (470-790 Mhz)
Regulation group CEPT ECC TG6 produced a report Long Term
Vision for the UHF broadcasting band, which was approved
28.11.2014

www.turkuamk.fi
TG6 Scenarios

Class A: Primary usage of the band by existing and future DVB

terrestrial networks
Class B: Hybrid usage of the band by DVB and/or downlink LTE
terrestrial networks
Class C: Hybrid usage of the band by DVB and/or LTE (including
uplink) terrestrial networks
Class D: Usage of the band by future communication technologies
Selected research issues from the report
Implications are derived from the audiovisual industry and content creation:
The study of AV consumption by the younger generation may give insight into
forecasting future AV consumption patterns.
A realistic time frame for scenarios is required.
The possibility for hybrid networks should be researched.

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 Supplemental downlink

Carrier aggregation utilized Benefits:

Easy to manage potential interference
(base station locations known)
Could be implemented basically by
replacing TV broadcast multiplex no
need for lengthy regulatory processes
Low cost no need to rebuild the
whole network operating at UHF
Based on existing LTE specifications
Proposal from TG6 report: Class B utilizing SDL:

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 Technical trade-offs
Content Unicasting
Axis LTE SDL LPLT

Pure LTE solution

LTE SDL /
DVB
DVB-T2 Technology axis LTE
DVB
IP-Datacasting

HPHT DVB-T2 Broadcasting LTE eMBMS LPLT

Is this realistic?
HPHT = High power high tower
LPLT = Low power low tower www.turkuamk.fi
Project objectives

Investigate how the media environment is changing and how it

affects business models for broadcasters, broadcast network
operators (BNO), mobile network manufacturers, and mobile
network operators (MNO)
Research DVB/mobile network compatibility and hybrid
utilization
Validate and pilot supplemental downlink (SDL) concept in the
Turku trial environment for UHF frequencies
Act as a Finnish discussion forum for the future of UHF and
provide joint input to regulation work.
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 Expected project results
Exploration the fast evolving ecosystem for media consumption and wireless
networks in order to identify and frame new cross-industry opportunities and
co-creative business models
Knowledge and information on media consumption behavior in general; also mobile
broadband usage and content consumption
Scenarios for future mobile broadcasting
Business model alternatives for each actor in the project
Dialogue between participating partners
Input to regulatory issues
Technical options for hybrid use of LTE SDL and DVB-T2 in UHF band
Hybrid DVB-T2/LTE e.g. via Future Extension Frames in DVB-T2
eMBMS with SDL
Dynamic multicast/unicast allocation methods including cognitive network and radio
concepts
Multi-stakeholder mobile network testbed for UHF frequencies and pilots
producing new results each quarter of the year
Supplemental downlink with carrier aggregation has not been implemented anywhere yet
Answers on interference levels, network planning, achievable performance, eMBMS, etc.
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Project impact

Impact to stakeholder business models: Collaboration between

stakeholders for new business opportunities
Impact to technologies: SDL implementation in 4G and 5G
networks
Impact to spectrum planning: SDL enables fast track for hybrid
broadcast/mobile network use of UHF frequencies
Impact to regulation: Feasible scenarios for utilizing UHF
frequencies

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Project implementation

sign, future studies tools

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Thank you!

Contact information:
Jarkko Paavola
jarkko.paavola@turkuamk.fi

www.tuas.fi