Tech
The ITC has announced that it has decided to allow broadcasters to use either the 16-QAM or 64-QAM mode of transmission through digital terrestrial.
The 64-QAM mode, which allows a greater number of channels to broadcast per multiplex compared to 16-QAM, was the standard up until the demise of ITV Digital earlier in the year. The replacement service, Freeview, operates on 16-QAM, which boasts improved coverage and performance, on four of its multiplexes. The remaining two multiplexes, operated by Digital 3 & 4 and SDN, opted to remain on 64-QAM, however.
"This decision follows a consultation amongst all interested parties and most recently an independently commissioned assessment involving field trials and research to provide practical in-home evidence of the comparative performance of the two transmission modes," said a press release from the regulator today.
"The ITC has concluded that on the evidence of the research and other available information an enforced mode change should not be mandated."
The 64-QAM mode, which allows a greater number of channels to broadcast per multiplex compared to 16-QAM, was the standard up until the demise of ITV Digital earlier in the year. The replacement service, Freeview, operates on 16-QAM, which boasts improved coverage and performance, on four of its multiplexes. The remaining two multiplexes, operated by Digital 3 & 4 and SDN, opted to remain on 64-QAM, however.
"This decision follows a consultation amongst all interested parties and most recently an independently commissioned assessment involving field trials and research to provide practical in-home evidence of the comparative performance of the two transmission modes," said a press release from the regulator today.
"The ITC has concluded that on the evidence of the research and other available information an enforced mode change should not be mandated."
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