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Digital Broadcasting Group (DBG)





Introduction
By its resolution of 25. 11. 1999, the Czech Parliament's Standing Commission for Mass Media authorized the Czech Republic Radio & Television Broadcasting Council to set up a working group composed of the representatives of several ministries and other entities that would occupy itself with the issues of introducing digital television and radio broadcasting. 

We use the following information to clarify the scope of issues:
  • As with many other services (e.g. telecommunications), the area of radio & television broadcasting is getting ready to migrate to digital technology. The reasons leading to it concern better quality broadcasting, improved user comfort, more economic utilization of the frequency spectrum, and an ensuing wider offer of terrestrial broadcasting programs requiring lower energy consumption of the operations as well as the possibility to provide additional (data) services.
  • Unlike with the innovations hitherto (e.g. satellite broadcasting, RDS services, cable TV, etc.), it is not thinkable to leave this migration to digitalization up to the market's self-regulation. Namely, it is going to take place in a limited frequency space and is associated with fundamental changes in the arrangements of broadcasting networks and operators (including, among other things, a gradual cessation of the current analog broadcasting and a very demanding international coordination of frequencies) and with the compelling need of technology replacement on the part of the viewers/listeners.
  • Digital broadcasting is going to require legislative amendments, primarily necessitated by the fact that an operator can broadcast on a single channel (multiplex) from a single broadcasting device several (even competitive) programs. Moreover, equal access to the media must be assured for all entities.
  • Digitalization is going to be costly. On one hand, necessary theoretical work will have to get funded, broadcasting networks will have to be built practically from scratch, and the cost which viewers/listeners will have to spend on purchasing their new receivers are not negligible by any means. Already in this migration's first stage, the current analog broadcasting operators will have to earmark certain funds to free up some channels for digital transmitters.
  • The migration to digital broadcasting cannot be held back. Going for it at a slower pace would only put the Czech Republic at disadvantage in international coordination. Two fundamental coordinating sessions have already taken place (1995 Wiesbaden - digital radio, 1997 Chester - digital television), where the basic directions on how to proceed with digitalization were agreed. On this basis, digital broadcasting in a number of European and non-European countries is taking off.

It is obvious from the above that the advance of digitalization needs to be coordinated in the Czech Republic by a suitable entity bringing together representatives from all the sides that have an interest in it. The above-mentioned working group happens to be such an entity. For the nearest future, its main tasks are as follows: 
  • Assess the development and tendencies hitherto in the legal regulation of this issue in the European countries, taking into consideration the developments in harmonization of this issue in the v EU to date.
  • Outline principles for the conduct of pilot projects. 
  • Set up a framework for the introduction of terrestrial digital radio & television broadcasting.
  • Draft suitable frameworks for advancement and introduction of multimedia services in the newly proposed terrestrial digital broadcasting systems.
  • Propose reference models for new technology implementation, including technical system specifications in light of European standards.
  • Coordinate experimental and pilot projects in digital radio & TV broadcasting.
  • Make sure to publicize the results for the public at large.
  • Promote and recommend non-discriminatory approaches enabling the creation of an open and competitive market environment.
  • Promote development of various new types of services provided and new features of the already provided services.
  • Ensure pro-active membership in international organizations.
  • As part of publicity, set up quality two-way links to college facilities and the Czech Academy of Sciences.
 

STATUTE OF THE INTER-MINISTERIAL WORKING GROUP FOR A DIGITAL BROADCASTING CONCEPT IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC


Article I
Introductory provisions
The inter-ministerial working group for a digital broadcasting concept in the Czech Republic (the working group) is an advisory body of the Czech Republic Radio & Television Broadcasting Council (the Council) to draft a concept and coordinate a migration to digital radio and television broadcasting. The Council has set up this working group as an advisory body in line with the definition of its competencies pursuant to Act No. 103/1992 Coll., on the Council, primarily pursuant to Sections 2 and 9 of same, further to Article VII of the Council's Statute, and on the basis of Resolution 22 of 25 November 1999 adopted by the Czech Republic Parliament's House of Representatives Standing Commission for Mass Media.
The working group's activity is in line with Czech Republic Government Resolution No. 7 of 5 January 2000. Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Culture, and the Council proceed along in cooperation pursuant to the mentioned resolution. In this manner, the group is going to participate in formulation of the principles of state policy of the Czech Republic in the area of digital broadcasting and in determining a concept for the development thereof.

Article II
The working group's mission

  1. The working group's mission is to create through its activity conditions for implementation of a new digital system for radio and television broadcasting, including the provision of multimedia services within such new systems in the Czech Republic (CR). Its activity is guided by endeavors respecting the CR's acceptance of the technical standards in force in the member states of the European Union (EU) and further by is effort to carry out a CR contribution to the development of the new systems in Europe.
  2. The working group:
    1. Discusses and submits to the Council drafts of strategic documents in the area of digital broadcasting and multimedia systems, and conceptual intents in this area.
    2. Coordinates work on conceptual materials of inter-ministerial & supra-ministerial nature in the area of digital broadcasting and multimedia systems and submits optimal migration scenarios for the launch of operations of digital technologies in the current analog environment and for a gradual migration to a predominantly digital environment in the future
    3. Provides professional opinions on the issues of digital broadcasting and multimedia systems
    4. Discusses and proposes solutions of supra-ministerial or inter-ministerial problems in the area of digital broadcasting and multimedia systems
    5. Advances its views on drafts of generally binding legal and other regulations in the area of digital broadcasting and multimedia systems
    6. Furnishes its opinions on legal approximation of the Czech Republic's legal system with EU member states in the area of digital broadcasting and multimedia systems
    7. Assesses and submits requirements to spend funds earmarked for supra-ministerial or inter-ministerial programs in the framework of migration to digital broadcasting and implementation of multimedia systems
    8. Ensures publicity for its existence (on web pages), progress and results of its work for public at large. Promotes information exchange, sharing of experiences, and promotes inception of close collaboration among all participating entities
    9. Ensures pro-active membership in international organizations that have the main say in the advancement of new digital terrestrial systems in Europe (WorldDAB Forum, DigiTAG, BWA, etc.).
Article III
The working group's composition
  1. The working group has a two-tier structure.
  2. The first tier consists of the working group's steering committee, secretary, and legal support.
  3. The working group's steering committee members are the representatives of:
    1. Ministry of Transport and Communications
    2. Ministry of Finance 
    3. Ministry of Culture
    4. Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs
    5. Ministry for Regional Development
    6. Ministry of Industry & Trade
    7. Czech Republic Radio & Television Broadcasting Council
    8. Czech Telecommunications Office
  4. Each entity per Article III (3) of the present Statute appoints two representatives to the working group's steering committee and has the right to recall and replace these representatives. Meetings of the working group's steering committee are always attended by at least one representative of each entity per paragraph 3 of this article. Representatives will be appointed by each relevant minister, chairman, or senior director.
  5. The working group second-tier members are representatives from scientific and commercial entities with interests in the area of digital radio and television broadcasting. Their activity within the working group is advisory, without the possibility to vote. The representatives from such entities gather in professional working teams (PWT). Each entity may be represented in more than just a single PWT. 
  6. A prerequisite for operative communications between both tiers is the need to structure the PWT representatives in such a way so that, in order to ensure an open and equal access for all those interested in participating in a PWT, the second-tier members of the working group empower with a mandate specific individuals who will be partners in discussions with the steering committee.

Article IV
The working group's head
  • The working group's head is appointed and recalled by the Council.
  • The working group's head is accountable to the Council for the working group's activity.
  • The working group's head directs the working group's activity and convenes its meeting.
  • The working group's head convenes the steering committee's meeting.
  • The working group's head submits to the Council proposals and suggestions within the working group's area of competence and reports to it on the results of its activity.
  • Pursuant to Article III (4) of the present Statute, the Council's appointed representative stands in for the working group's head in the event of the latter's absence.

    Article V
    The working group's members
  • The working group's members are obliged to attend meetings of the working groups to the extent of the competence of the entity they represent and pro-actively participate in its work.
  • Membership in the working group's steering committee is compulsory for the entities specified in Article III (3) of the present Statute.

    Article VI
    Provision of legal support to the working group
  • Legal support for the working group will be provided by a legal person or a natural person to be appointed and recalled by the working group's head.
  • The person providing legal support is responsible for compliance of the working group's any and all activities and documents with the Czech Republic' s legal system, and is the working group's body for harmonization of the submitted documents with Community legislation.
  • The person providing legal support has no voting right.
  • Activity of the person providing legal support is paid from the Council's budget.


    Article VII
    The working group's secretary
  • The working group's secretary is appointed and recalled by the working group's head.
  • The working group's secretary is responsible for the preparation of comprehensive materials for the working group's meeting.
  • The working group's secretary maintains complete records on the working group's activity.
  • The working group's secretary ensures presentation on the working group's web pages.
  • The working group's secretary has no voting right.

    Article VIII
    The working group's secretariat
  • Functioning as the working group's secretariat, the Council's Office ensures the working group's activity administratively and organizationally. 

    Article IX
    Professional working teams and external collaboration
  • The working group may set up for its needs temporary or permanent PWTs as its advisory bodies. PWT heads ensure contact with the working group's first tier. The working group may engage appropriate experts in solving professional assignments within the framework of the delineated segment of its activity. 
  • A PWT head is appointed by the working group's head on recommendation by steering committee members.
  • PWT members may be representatives of scientific and commercial entities with interests in the area of digital broadcasting and multimedia systems. If deemed necessary, a professional working group's activity may be participated in also by representatives of the entities listed in Article III (3) of the present Statute. 
  • Activity of a PWT is governed by the PWT's statute and rules of procedure.

    Article X
    The working group's meeting
  • The working group's meeting is governed by the working group's rules of procedure.

    Article XI
    Reimbursement of expenses
  • Reimbursement of expenses of working group members as associated with the execution of their position will be defrayed from the budgets of such entities that delegated such members, unless otherwise provided for.
  • Remuneration and reimbursement to experts for professional activity rendered to the working group, which was contractually agreed by and between the Council and select experts, save for activity in the PWT framework, will be paid from the Council's budget similarly as are other expenses for the working group's activity. The Council will approve the amount of funds for the working group's activity.

    Article XII
    Final provisions
  • The present Statute will be in force on 27 January 2000.
    Amendments and supplements to the present Statute will enter into force on the date of their approval by the working group.


    Composition of the Steering Committee

    Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs
    Ing. Marie Kudlová
    PaedDr. Petr Niederle
    Ministry of Finance
    Ing. Stanislav Cysař
    Ing. Libuše Litoborská
    Ministry for Regional Development
    Ing. Jiří Peřka
    Mgr. Dagmar Stehlíková
    Ministry of Culture
    Mgr. Edita Novotná
    Ministry of Industry & Trade
    Ing. Miroslav Marčan
    Ing. Sláva Kožner
    Ministry of Transport & Communications
    Ing. Jan Pfleger
    Ing. Vladimír Strádal
    Czech Telecommunications Office
    Ing. Jiří Duchač
    Ing. Lubomír Suja
    House of Representatives, Czech Republic Parliament
    Ing. Vojtěch Vymětal
    Ing. Karel Sehoř
    Kateřina Dostálová
    Ing. Miroslav Vlček
    Josef Ježek
    Council for Radio & Television Broadcasting
    Prof. Ing. Jan Uhlíř, CSc

    DBG Contact 
    DBG Secretary:
    Ing. Pavel Gregora, Phone: +420.2.74813830, 74811826, e-mail: gregora.p@rrtv.cz


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