Telenor Plans to Build Digital Terrestrial TV Network in Norway

OSLO, Norway, May 3, 2005/Satnews Daily/ ¾ Telenor Broadcast told the Ministry of Transport and Communications on Monday it is interested to build and operate a digital terrestrial TV network in Norway.

Telenor subsidiary Norkring currently owns and operates the national analog terrestrial TV and radio network and wants to deliver the same services digitally.

Canal Digital, also owned by Telenor, delivers TV services to close to 2.9 million households in the Nordic region via satellite, cable, and broadband as well as a digital terrestrial network in Finland. Canal Digital has experience in digital TV in the entire Nordic region.

“All households currently receiving analog TV signals must be ensured simple and safe transition to digital TV with more TV channels and new TV services. We are familiar with the requirements put forward to contractors in the previous call and parliamentary reading. The building of broadcast networks and distribution of TV signals is our core business,” executive vice president and head of Telenor Broadcast, Stig Eide Sivertsen said.

He said Telenor intends to use open standards, which will promote competition in the terrestrial network, and ensure freedom of choice and variety to the viewers. “At the same time we can offer the TV channels digital distribution on equal terms and without ownership risks. This is why we have stated our interest in applying for a licence for digital terrestrial TV network,” Sivertsen said.

The requirements imposed on the party tasked with building and operating the digital terrestrial TV network include specific requirements relating to coverage, i.e. ensuring that all households may receive digital TV signals. Viewers shall be offered added value, and the Norwegian broadcaster NRK's license-charged products must be offered free of charge.

Telenor said the costs relating to the equipment required to receive signals must be limited, and the public must have full access to receiving equipment and technical assistance. All requirements relating to preparedness and local TV services must also be met. The Norwegian Storting (Parliament) has imposed stricter requirements for coverage, digital added value and improved customer support.

Canal Digital has completed transitions from analogue to digital TV for satellite and in a substantial number of cable networks. The company runs its own laboratory, where receivers are tested and full quality assurance is provided. The customer centres answer thousands of calls from customers every day.

Canal Digital has also developed receivers that are capable of receiving transmissions from both satellites and the digital terrestrial networks in Sweden and Finland. Since the first Norwegian license for a digital terrestrial network was issued in 2002, the technological development has enabled the construction of better receivers, with more functions, without any additional cost, Telenor said.

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