NATIONAL INFORMATION and COMMUNICATION

TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITY (NICTA)

ENGINEERING & RESOURCE PLANNING DEPARTMENT
RESOURCE PLANNING BRANCH
BROADCASTING SECTION

BROADCASTING

OWEN SIMON
TRAINEE
 Broadcasting

1. Overview of Broadcasting
In communication, broadcasting is the term that refers to the form of communication that sends
information such as video and audio electronically to large receiving audience. The information is sent in
different forms:

I. Radio waves,
II. Through a wire or,
III. By a communications satellite.

Than the receiving audience (radio listeners and television viewers) pick up the signal using their
television sets and radio receivers (modules).

There are two types of broadcasting transmission technique in communication:

I. Radio Broadcasting.
II. Television Broadcasting.

There are many differences but the basic difference between Radio and Television Broadcasting is that
Radio Broadcasting only transmits audio, while Television Broadcasting, whether analog or digital,
transmits both audio and video.

Types of Broadcasting

In Papua New Guinea, there are two types of broadcasting:

I. Commercial Broadcasting.
II. Non-Commercial Broadcasting.

Commercial Broadcasting (also called private broadcasting) is the broadcasting of television programs
and radio programming by privately owned corporate media, as opposed to state sponsorship.

Commercial broadcasting is primarily based on the practice of airing radio advertisements and television
advertisements for profit. This is in contrast to Non-Commercial broadcasting (or public broadcasting),
which receives government subsidies and eschews most (or all) paid advertising.
In an hour of broadcast time on a commercial broadcasting station, 10 to 20 minutes are typically
devoted to advertising. Advertisers pay a certain amount of money to air their commercials, usually
based upon program ratings or the audience measurement of a station or network. This makes
commercial broadcasters more accountable to advertisers than non-commercial or public broadcasting,
a disadvantage of commercial radio and television.
Transmission of Broadcasting Signals

The figure below is the block diagram of how broadcasting signals gets from the studio to the receiver or
end user.

TRANSMISSION USER (VIEWER

STUDIO TRANSMITTER RECEIVER
MEDIUM OR LISTERNER)

The signal from the studio must first be transmitted to the transmitter. From the transmitter, it travels
through the transmission medium and then to the receiver. The transmission medium depends on the
type of transmission. It can be cable (for cable transmission) or it can be antenna (for wireless
transmission).

When dealing with signal transmission, these are the words you must know and be able to define:

I. Frequency

Frequency is a measurement of how many cycles can happen in a certain amount of time (cycles per
second). Hertz is the unit of frequency, and it just means how many cycles per second. It is abbreviated
as Hz.

II. Wavelength

Wavelength is defined as the distance from a particular height on the wave to the next spot on the wave
where it is at the same height and going in the same direction. Usually it is measured in meters, just like
any length.

III. Amplitude

Amplitude is a measure of how big the wave is. The amplitude of a wave is measured as the height from
the equilibrium point to the highest point of a crest or the depth from the equilibrium point to the
lowest point of a trough. Waves might have the exact same frequency and wavelength, but the
amplitudes of the waves can be very different.

Broadcasting in PNG

Broadcasting plays a vital role in the development of this nation as an important medium of
dissemination of information.

Information plays an important role in almost every human activity. Its values in the development
process have been a topic of extensive discussion. Information dissemination and accessibility have
reduced the world to a global village. PNG, like the rest of the world, is experiencing change in all
aspects of life: from basic cultural values to technology, which has changed not only the mode of
communication, but the concept of time.

Information is an essential resource in the operation and management of all kinds of industry. In the
communication arena, information is crucial in the collection, storage and processing of data relevant to
cover real life situation, news and events in a responsible, complete, balanced and meaningful manner.

Information is also important to policy formulation and planning of both public and private institutions.
Focusing on PNG development process, information about human resource development, material
resources, and the economy are fundamental elements for the overall system planning of the
Government. Information is vital to empowering people for self-determination and reliance.

Therefore, information access to the media, government and non-government institutions, and the
people is necessary in order to play active role in the development process of the nation. Information
distribution and dissemination put the people in touch with the times and make them feel the pulse of
the nation. Hence, the development of information system is essential for the development of this
country.

2. Radio Broadcasting
Radio Broadcasting is the transmission, via radio-frequency electromagnetic waves, of audible program
material for direct reception by the general public. Electromagnetic waves can be made to travel from a
transmitting antenna to receiving antenna. By modifying the amplitude, frequency, or relative phase of
the wave in response to some message signal (modulation process), it is possible to convey information
from the transmitter to the receiver. In radio broadcasting, the information usually takes the form of
voice or music.

The figure below shows how a radio broadcasting signal is transmitted to the listerner.
Transmission Modes in PNG

Modulation is the process by which voice, music, and other "intelligence" is added to the radio waves
produced by a transmitter. The different methods of modulating a radio signal are called modes. An un-
modulated radio signal is known as a carrier. When you hear "dead air" between songs or
announcements on a radio station, you're "hearing" the carrier. While a carrier contains no intelligence,
you can tell it is being transmitted because of the way it quiets the background noise on your radio.

The two main transmission modes of Radio Broadcasting in PNG are:

I. AM (Amplitude Modulation)
In amplitude modulation, the strength (amplitude) of the carrier from a transmitter is varied
according to how a modulating signal varies.
When you speak into the microphone of an AM transmitter, the microphone converts your voice
into a varying voltage. This voltage is amplified and then used to vary the strength of the
transmitter's output. Amplitude modulation adds power to the carrier, with the amount added
depending on the strength of the modulating voltage. Amplitude modulation results in three
separate frequencies being transmitted: the original carrier frequency, a lower sideband (LSB)
below the carrier frequency, and an upper sideband (USB) above the carrier frequency. The
sidebands are "mirror images" of each other and contain the same intelligence. When an AM
signal is received, these frequencies are combined to produce the sounds you hear.
Each sideband occupies as much frequency space as the highest audio frequency being
transmitted. If the highest audio frequency being transmitted is 5 kHz, then the total frequency
space occupied by an AM signal will be 10 kHz (the carrier occupies negligible frequency space).
AM has the advantages of being easy to produce in a transmitter and AM receivers are simple in
design. Its main disadvantage is its inefficiency. About two-thirds of an AM signal's power is
concentrated in the carrier, which contains no intelligence. One-third of the power is in the
sidebands, which contain the signal's intelligence. Since the sidebands contain the same
intelligence, however, one is essentially "wasted." Of the total power output of an AM
transmitter, only about one-sixth is actually productive, useful output!
Other disadvantages of AM include the relatively wide amount of frequency space an AM signal
occupies and its susceptibility to static and other forms of electrical noise. Despite this, AM is
simple to tune on ordinary receivers, and that is why it is used for almost all shortwave
broadcasting.

II. FM (Frequency Modulation)

In AM, the carrier of the signal will not change in a normally operating transmitter. However, it
is possible to modulate a signal by changing its frequency in accordance with a modulating
signal. This is the idea behind frequency modulation (FM).
The un-modulated frequency of a FM signal is called its center frequency. When a modulating
signal is applied, the FM transmitter's frequency will swing above and below the center
 frequency according to the modulating signal. The amount of "swing" in the transmitter's
frequency in any direction above or below the center frequency is called its deviation. The total
frequency space occupied by a FM signal is twice its deviation.
As you might suspect, FM signals occupy a great deal of frequency space. The deviation of a FM
broadcast station is 75 kHz, for a total frequency space of 150 kHz. Most other users of FM
(police and fire departments, business radio services, etc.) use a deviation of 5 kHz, for a total
frequency space occupied of 10 kHz. For these reasons, FM is mainly used on frequency above
30 MHz, where adequate frequency space is available. This is why most scanner radios can only
receive FM signals, since most signals found above 30 MHz are FM.
The big advantage of FM is its audio quality and immunity to noise. Most forms of static and
electrical noise are naturally AM, and a FM receiver will not respond to AM signals. FM receivers
also exhibit a characteristic known as the capture effect. If two or more FM signals are on the
same frequency, the FM receiver will respond to the strongest of the signals and ignore the rest.
The audio quality of a FM signal increases as its deviation increases, which is why FM broadcast
stations use such large deviation. The main disadvantage of FM is the amount of frequency
space a signal requires.

PNG Frequency Range for FM Broadcasting

In PNG, the frequency range for FM broadcasting is from 88 MHz to 108 MHz band. Therefore the FM
broadcasting stations must use the frequency allocated to them to broadcast to their listeners.

There are many radio stations in PNG but the four main radio stations are listed below:

I. NBC (National Broadcasting Corporation)

The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) is established and funded by the Parliament of
PNG to provide a national radio service for Papua New Guinea. The station format consists of
music and development programs with news on the hour every hour, from 0500 to 2400 hours
daily. It has a wide audience reach with approximately 2-3 million daily listeners in a variety of
settings, including rural and urban centers.

II. Yumi FM
Yumi FM was developed in 1997 as PNG FM's second national commercial radio station. The
stations format is based around PNG popular music and Adult Contemporary Western music.
Broadcasting in Tok Pisin - the main language used in Papua New Guinea, Yumi FM has a target
demographic by age of 18 - 40 plus, focused on the "grass roots" section of the market.

The station takes advantage of Papua New Guinea’s thriving music industry and combines this
with a strong community presence. Yumi FM is PNG’s most listened to radio station driven by
PNG’s top radio personalities. Previous media surveys suggest it is THE MEDIUM with the
biggest reach of any form of media in PNG with a daily audience of well over 1.5 million people.

(Based on PNG Media Council Media Survey 2005)

 III. Nau FM
Launched May 1994, Nau FM is modeled on FM96 targeting a similar group of younger urban
westernized youth. Like its sister station in Fiji, Nau FM owns the youth (under 25) market in
PNG.

IV. Legend FM
Launched on 16th September 2011, Legend FM Bikpla 101 is the newest member to the PNG FM
radio networks. Legend FM Bikpla 101 broadcasts a similar radio format to its Fiji namesake
targeting an urban educated mature market (30+). Primarily Papua New Guinean, Legend FM’s
audience also includes a large expatriate component.

3. Television Broadcasting
Television broadcasting means sending information such as television shows electronically to a large
audience. The information is sent through the air in radio waves, through a wire, or by a
Communications satellite, and then the television viewers pick up the signal using their television sets
and receivers (modules).

a. The figure below shows how a digital television broadcasting signal is transmitted to the
viewer.
 b. The figure below show how an analog television broadcasting signal is transmitted to the
viewer.

Types of Television Broadcasting

There are different types of television broadcasting.

I. Free-to-Air TV
Free-to-Air (FTA) TV describes television (TV) services broadcast in clear (unencrypted) form,
allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or
listen to the content without requiring a subscription, other ongoing cost, or one-off fee (e.g.
Pay-per-view). In the traditional sense, this is carried on terrestrial radio signals and received
with an antenna.
FTA also refers to channels and broadcasters providing content for which no subscription is
expected, even though they may be delivered to the viewer by another carrier for which a
subscription is required, e.g. cable, satellite or the Internet. These carriers may be mandated (or
opt) in some geographies to deliver FTA channels even if a premium subscription is not present
(providing the necessary equipment is still available), especially where FTA channels are
expected to be used for emergency broadcasts, similar to the 112 emergency service provided
by mobile phone operators and manufacturers.

II. Cable TV
Cable television is a system of distributing television programs to subscribers via radio frequency
(RF) signals transmitted through coaxial cables or light pulses through fiber-optic cables. This
contrasts with traditional broadcast television (terrestrial television) in which the television
signal is transmitted over the air by radio waves and received by a television antenna attached
to the television. FM radio programming, high-speed Internet, telephone service, and similar
non-television services may also be provided through these cables.
 The abbreviation CATV is often used for cable television. It originally stood for Community
Access Television or Community Antenna Television, from cable television's origins in 1948: in
areas where over-the-air reception was limited by distance from transmitters or mountainous
terrain, large "community antennas" were constructed, and cable was run from them to
individual homes. The origins of cable broadcasting are even older as radio programming was
distributed by cable in some European cities as far back as 1924.

III. Multi-channel Multi-point Distribution Services (MMDS)

Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS) is a broadcasting and communication
service that operates in the ultra-high-frequency (UHF) portion of the radio spectrum. MMDS is
also known as wireless cable. It was conceived as a substitute for conventional cable television
(TV). However, it also has applications in telephone/fax and data communications.
In MMDS, a medium-power transmitter is located with an omnidirectional broadcast antenna at
or near the highest topographical point in the intended coverage area. The workable radius can
reach up to 70 miles in flat terrain (significantly less in hilly or mountainous areas). Each
subscriber is equipped with a small antenna, along with a converter that can be placed next to,
or on top of, a conventional TV set. There is a monthly fee, similar to that for satellite TV service.
The MMDS frequency band has room for several dozen analog or digital video channels, along
with narrowband channels that can be used by subscribers to transmit signals to the network.
Because of recent deregulation that allows cable TV companies to provide telephone and
Internet services, along with the development of digital technologies that make efficient use of
available bandwidth, MMDS has considerable future potential. An MMDS network can provide
high-speed Internet access, telephone/fax, and TV together, without the constraints of cable
connections.

Frequency Range for Free-to-Air TV in PNG

The frequency range for the Free-to-Air TV in PNG is from the VHF (Very High Frequency) Band III
(channel 1 – 8) with frequency ranging from 174 MHz to 230 MHz.

Free-to-Air TV Operators in PNG

Listed below are the three Free-to-Air TV stations in PNG and a little background knowledge on each of
them.

I. EMTV
 EMTV is the national television service owned and controlled by Media Niugini Limited and also
a subsidiary of Fiji TV limited. EMTV commenced broadcasting within the National Capital
District of Papua New Guinea in July 1987.
A transmission center was opened in Lae in April 1988 with Mt Hagen, Goroka, Arawa and
Rabaul following in rapid succession. A milestone was reached in June 1989 when EMTV
commenced being received live in Lae, Mt Hagen and Goroka.
Twenty years later EMTV is now received in real time via satellite in 38 centres throughout
Papua New Guinea. Based on 2000 Census information the EMTV footprint is approximately
45% of PNG's total population of approximately 6 million people.
EMTV's signal is sent out from Port Moresby encrypted, then received at a number of regional
sites and retransmitted to the surrounding area. This allows the population of Papua New
Guinea access to the latest news, sport, information and entertainment from within Papua New
Guinea and around the world

II. Kundu 2

Kundu 2 was launched on 17th September 2008 by previous Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.
Kundu 2 is a government owned public broadcasting service. It is also known as the National
Television Service. The programs shown are mainly news, documentaries and other educational
programs. Many remote areas of Papua New Guinea are unable to receive this service.

III. Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN)

The Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) is a 24-hour Christian television and radio
network. 3ABN offers divorce recovery programs, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, cooking and
health programs, stop smoking and weight loss, programs that deal with children and family
issues, organic gardening, natural home remedies, gospel music programs, as well as a variety of
inspirational themes from the Bible for children and adults.
Today, surrounded by the rolling farmland of Southern Illinois, 3ABN beams its television and
radio programming to eight satellites which carry it to every inhabited continent. 3ABN is the
second largest Christian network in North America (in regard to numbers of owned and
operated UHF stations).
 3ABN is not owned, operated or funded by any church, denomination or organization, so people
from all cultures and backgrounds appreciate 3ABN programming. Many of 3ABN’s employees
and volunteers are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Digital Television Broadcasting

Digital broadcasting is the practice of using digital data rather than analogue waveforms to carry
broadcasts over television channels or assigned radio frequency bands. It is becoming increasingly
popular for television usage (especially satellite television) but is having a slower adoption rate for radio.

Digital links, thanks to the use of data compression, generally have more efficient bandwidth usage than
analog links, which allows a content provider more room to provide services, or to provide a higher-
quality signal than had been previously available.

It is estimated that the share of digital broadcasting increased from 7% of the total amount of broadcast
information in 2000, to 25% in 2007.

4. Trends in Broadcasting
Regulators, spectrum managers and broadcasters are faced with the question how to continue and
extend the delivery of broadcasting services and introduce new broadcasting services in a frequency
efficient and cost effective way.

Two main developments in terrestrial broadcasting will determine the trends in audio and television
broadcasting:

I. The fast expansion of high capacity data networks, offering consumers broadband Internet
access. The Internet will be an increasingly important means of delivery of audio-visual content,
including broadcasting.

II. The continuing evolution of digital broadcast technology, resulting in a considerable increase of
the capacity in the transmitted bandwidth and enabling more services, better picture quality
and improved coverage.

All players in the broadcasting value chain from content creators to device creators will be affected by
the impact of the evolution of broadcast technology and the growth of broadband Internet access.
These developments will result in the production of higher quality content and offer additional
information and interactive services. Digital broadcasting networks will be modified due to:

• Demand for more services of higher technical quality and with improved coverage;
• New technology with improved efficiency in the use of the spectrum;
• Changed regulations on the use of the spectrum.
Broadcasting by the end of the decade

a. Many countries in all regions will have completed the DSO process regarding their television
services, or will be in an advanced stage in the process.
b. The number of digital audio broadcasting services, in particular via the Internet, will increase.
c. For cost reasons more analogue LF, MF and HF stations will be closed for which coverage is also
provided by FM, digital audio broadcasting or via the Internet.
d. FM will remain an important means of delivery of audio broadcasting. In general switch-off of
FM stations lies far ahead, but a few countries may have switched-off analogue radio.
e. Mobile networks will on average provide a data rate of more than 3 Mbit/s (sufficient for good
quality pictures at not too large screen sizes) and mobile video will take more than 70 per cent
of the total mobile data traffic. Together with fixed broadband Internet access, mobile networks
will facilitate the development of broadcasting and multimedia services via the Internet to a
large part of the population.

Services concepts

a. Wide spread broadband Internet access (mobile, fixed including WLAN extensions) will have a
great impact on broadcasting services:
• on the hand it is a competitive means to deliver radio and TV services compared
to terrestrial, cable and satellite networks;
• on the other hand, it is a supportive means of delivery for offering enhanced radio and
television services.
b. Interactive television services will be realized by hybrid broadcast-broadband (HBB) solutions;
either by presentation of the requested information on the main TV screen and operation via
the remote control of the TV-set, or by means of a second screen (e.g. tablet computer or smart
phone).
c. The relative importance of broadcasting and broadband delivery will be different from country
to country depending on the market conditions and the regulatory situation. It may also be
different for audio broadcasting and television services. In all cases, it expected that HBB
services, offering linear programs intended for the general public together with individualized
services will be of great demand.
d. It is not expected that broadband will replace broadcast as main means of delivery for linear
broadcasting to the general public, but it cannot be excluded on the very long term in some
markets.

Audio broadcasting developments

 a. Many countries will introduce digital audio broadcasting for national and regional coverage in
parts of the frequency band 174-230 MHz (Band III), when vacated by analogue television.
Countries with DAB assignments or allotments in the Geneva 2006 Agreement will use these as
a basis.
b. In addition in many countries also digital audio broadcasting stations will be introduced in the
LF, MF and HF bands in order to satisfy specific market requirements, such as coverage in low
populated areas, international broadcasting and local broadcasting.
c. More than one digital audio broadcasting system in different frequency bands or in the same
frequency band may be in operation in the same country in order to satisfy the various market
requirements. The availability of multi-standard and multi-band receivers is therefore an
important condition for the development of digital audio broadcasting.
d. An increasing number of digital audio broadcasting implementations will make use high
efficiency source coding (e.g. DAB+). Eventually all transmissions with less efficient source
coding will be replaced.

Television broadcasting development

a. In an increasing number of countries all TV services will be in HD quality.

b. Screen sizes will increase and for large screens (> 50 inch) the presentation format 1080p/50 or
60 may be implemented on some DTTB networks.
c. UHDTV will be implemented in some countries, with advanced compression systems.
Implementation on DTTB networks is not expected.
d. A new, twice as efficient compression system called HEVC/MPEG-H/H.265 will be available. The
system will have a two times higher coding efficiency than MPEG4. Initially it may be used with
UHDTV services. It is also likely to be included in the specifications of DTTB standards.
e. Second generation transmission systems will be implemented in more and more countries to
provide sufficient capacity on the DTTB networks in order to:
• Deliver an attractive HDTV service package;
• Compensate the reduction of the UHF TV band, due to the introduction on IMT services.
f. A single global new generation of standard, referred to as FOBTV, has been developed with the
aim to achieve compatible DTTB standards worldwide.
g. The MTV market prospective is variable. Many systems exist, either as dedicated MTV system,
or as part of a DTTB transmission. In addition, multimedia services via mobile communication
networks (3G and 4G) show very high growth figures.
h. More services, with better picture quality (including HDTV) and better reception quality will be
implemented on the terrestrial platform. In countries where the UHF TV band will be limited to
694 MHz, the following activities may take place:
• Major frequency re-planning to accommodate the transmission of the services into
a reduce frequency band;
• Application of second generation transmission standards;
 • Re-engineering of transmitting stations;
• Organizing a transition period to allow viewers to buy new receivers;
• Communication campaigns to inform the public about the required changes in receiving
installations.

References:
Textbooks:
• ITU-R BT.2140-4 Transition from analogue to digital broadcasting
 • "The World's Technological Capacity to Store, Communicate, and Compute Information", Martin
Hilbert and Priscila López (2011)

• Schlosberg, Justin (2011). "Why Does Illegal Broadcasting Continue To Thrive In The Age Of
Spectrum Liberalization?".Academic Search Premier: 7. Retrieved 19 February 2013.

• Adimorah, E.N.O. (1995). An overview of the state of information provision to rural communities
in Anglophone West Africa. In: Proceedings of the Seminar on Information Provision to Rural
Communities in Africa, Gaborone, Botswana, 22–25 June, 1994. [Uppsala]: Uppsala University
Library: 21–31.

• Boon, J. A. (1992). Information and development: Some reasons for failure. Information Society
8 (3): 227-241.

• Mazie, S. M., & Ghelfi, L. M. (1995). Challenges of the rural environment in a global
economy. Library Trends 44 (1): 7–20.

• Meyer, H.W.J. (2005). The nature of information and effective use of information in rural
development.Information Research 10 (2) paper 214. Available:

• Wakelin, F., & Simelane, S. (1995). The Regional Consultative Forum on rural development and
information provision to rural communities. Innovation 11 (December): 40–43.

Web Links:
• www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-d/opb/hdb/D-HDB-GUIDELINES.01-2010-R1-PDF-E.pdf
• www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/digital_broadcasting/Reports/DigitalDividend.pdf
• http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
• https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kundu-2-PNG/144046538959761
• www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadcasting_(networking)
• http://www.ifla-org/iv/ifla64/145-78e.htm.
• http://InformationR.net/ir/10-2/paper214.html

Other Websites:
• http://3abn.org/about/
• http://en.wikipedia.org
• www.emtv.com.pg/about-emtv
• www.PNGBUAI.com
• www.itu.int