Press Release

Telecommunications Authority Promulgates the In-building Coaxial Cable Distribution System Specification for Digital Terrestrial Television

Incorporated owners and building managers are advised by the Office of the Telecommunications Authority ("OFTA") to check and, if necessary, upgrade their In-building Coaxial Cable Distribution Systems ("IBCCDS") for reception of Digital Terrestrial Television ("DTT") signals, if their buildings are located in the initial coverage area of DTT broadcasting, which will be launched later this year.

According to the implementation framework earlier announced by the Government, Asia Television Limited ("ATV") and Television Broadcasts Limited ("TVB") shall start simulcasting of both DTT and analogue TV programmes by the end of 2007. At service launch, ATV and TVB's DTT service will be transmitted by the main transmission station at Temple Hill and it will cover the Kowloon peninsula, northern Hong Kong Island, Shatin and eastern Lantau Island.

"In order to receive the new DTT programmes, incorporated owners and building managers should check whether their IBCCDS are able to receive the DTT signals and, if not, arrange for the necessary upgrading of their systems. They may approach their existing IBCCDS operator or procure the service from a new contractor for such upgrading works," a spokesperson of OFTA said today (1 August 2007).

"To facilitate the concerned parties to upgrade their IBCCDS, OFTA has issued today the revised specification for IBCCDS which incorporates the performance requirements for the reception and distribution of DTT signals. In addition, OFTA has also published a companion guideline providing necessary information for the upgrade of IBCCDS," continued the spokesperson.

"From end July onwards, OFTA will conduct regular DTT briefings for various sectors of the community, including Government departments, property developers, IBCCDS contractors, incorporated owners and management offices of residential buildings located in the initial coverage area of DTT broadcasting, to facilitate their understanding of how to upgrade their IBCCDS. Publicity programmes will be launched in due course to provide the public with more information in connection with the DTT service," the spokesperson added.

Both the specification and the guideline mentioned above can be downloaded from OFTA's website at www.ofta.gov.hk .Any queries related to the specification and guideline may be made to OFTA's hotline on 2961 6333 or by email to

Office of the Telecommunications Authority
1 August 2007