Canada sluggish on digital switch

[Gregg Lengling]

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission which regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada, has issued a regulatory framework that sets out the rules for the distribution of over-the-air digital television signals by such broadcasting distribution undertakings as cable television and direct-to-home satellite systems.

However, the move to digital is slow. In 1995, the aim was to have digital across the board by 2005. That won't happen.

The broadcast distribution systems will be required to carry both the analogue and digital versions of priority services, until at least 85 per cent of their subscribers are capable of receiving digital services, at which point they can then apply to the CRTC to stop distributing the analogue signals.

"Giving viewers better access to digital signals, including high definition signals, will help drive the transition to digital, to the benefit of the broadcasting system as a whole," says Charles Dalfen, CRTC Chairman.

"But broadcasters are slow to invest in the infrastructure needed," says Michel Arpin, senior advisor, government and regulatory affairs, Astral Media Inc. "Complicating the fact is the interest in satellite radio. There's already one application for it in front of the CRTC."

With many Canadian broadcasters owning both radio and TV stations, they are now faced with investing in two new technologies. The fact that satellite radio has a strong backup from the car manufacturers may well sway investment in that, further slowing down the switch to digital. GM and Toyota are partners in XM Radio and Ford, DaimlerChrysler and others are partners in Sirrius. XM Radio and Sirrius are both subscription services allowing reception of approximately 100 audio signals via satellite.