The two-day annual broadcasting technology seminar, organised by the Broadcast technology Management Committee (BMC) is under way with a total of over 100 participants from 28 countries. A very full first day gave a thorough update on all aspects of new broadcasting technologies. After a welcome from Phil Laven, EBU Technical Director, the BMC Chairman Jan Doeven (NPB/KPN) kicked of the proceedings with a summary of the highlights of the Project group activities over the last year. 

Chris Weck    

The main sessions then covered the transition from analogue to digital transmission, and new delivery options such as IPTV and other Internet-related ideas such as Peer-to-Peer networks and WiMAX which may offer new opportunities for broadcasters.

  An enraptured Forecast 2006 audience listen as Chris Weck (above)
explains recent developments in Mobile Broadcasting

Today, the focus shifts to the frequency spectrum and how best to manage the limited resources that broadcasters have been entrusted with. The heavy workload of meetings and discussions which led to the very successful planning conference and the Geneva 2006 ITU Agreement may have ended, but a further round of work items for our EBU experts is underway as the new digital plan is beginning to be implemented. Speakers on this second day are explaining the detail of the 'GE-06' and how this plan can be turned into practical transmitter networks. A final session on future frequency issues including the World Radio Conference in 2007 and thoughts on replanning of the broadcast band at 1.5GHz will complete the programme.

   From left to right, top to bottom: Gerhard Stoll, Denis Masse, Oliver Werner, 
Etienne Deventer and Frank Hoffsummer