LECTURE TO LEVEL 400 IT STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF …...legal framework 8 laws and policies description ict4ad policy 2003 information and communications technologies for accelerated

NATIONAL

COMMUNICATIONS

AUTHORITY

LECTURE TO LEVEL 400 IT

STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY

OF GHANA

KWAME BAAFOUR OSEI AKOTO, MARCH 2019

NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY

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OUTLINE INTRODUCTION

THE NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY - GHANA

MANAGEMENT OF THE RF SPECTRUM

SERVICES REGULATED BY THE NCA

UPDATE ON DTT MIGRATION

QUESTIONS

2

NATIONAL

COMMUNICATIONS

AUTHORITY

INTRODUCTION


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, WHAT IS COMMUNICATIONS?

What is communications?

Big Data, IoT, Cloud Computing - The future

Sending and receiving information from a source to a

destination

Main forms of Electronic Communication:

Wireless – Terrestrial, Satellite

Wired - Cable, Fibre


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NATIONAL

COMMUNICATIONS

AUTHORITY

THE NATIONAL

COMMUNICATIONS

AUTHORITY - GHANA


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WHY THE NCA? Referee?

The object of the NCA is to

regulate the provision of

communications services in

Ghana.

Sections 2 and 3 of

National Communicataions

Authority Act, 2008, Act

769

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LEGAL FRAMEWORK

8

LAWS AND POLICIES DESCRIPTION

ICT4AD POLICY 2003 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT POLICY,

2003

NTP 2005 NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY, 2005

ACT 769 NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY ACT, 2008

ACT 775 ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS ACT, 2008

ACT 786 ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2009

ACT 772 ELECTRONICS TRANSACTIONS ACT, 2008

L.I. 1991 ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS REGULATIONS, 2011

L.I. 1994 MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY REGULATIONS, 2011

L.I. 2006 SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULE REGISTRATION REGULATIONS, 2011


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STRUCTURE OF THE NCA

Governed by Nine Member Board appointed by President

Administrivtely Headed by Director General for a 5-year term and

renewable for a second

Eleleven Divisions Headed by Directors

Key Divisions:

Engineeiring,

Regulatory Administration

Legal

Consumer and Corporate Affairs

Head Office in Accra with Seven (7) Regional Offices

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WHAT WE DO Advise Minister of Communications on Policy Formulation and

Development Strategies for the Communications Industry.

Ensure strict compliance with the NCA Act and Regulations [and

all other rules, laws and directives] made under it.

Grant Licenses and [authorizations] for operation of

communications systems and [services].

Assign, Allocate and regulate the use of frequencies in

conformity with international requirements.

Establish National Numbering Plan and assign numbers

accordingly.

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Designate standards of communications equipment.

Foster a competitive, transparent, fair and orderly market

environment

Promote provisioning of product and service choices of the

highest quality, at competitive prices, to ensure consumers

achieve good value for money.

Protect the interest of consumers, operators [and other

stakeholders; Government, Investors, and Civil Society]

11

NATIONAL

COMMUNICATIONS

AUTHORITY

MANAGEMENT OF THE

SPECTRUM


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THE RF SPECTRUM Spectrum can be described as

the entire range of

wavelengths of

electromagnetic radiation

RF Specctrum is a subset of

the electromagnetic spectrum

lying between the frequencies

from 3 kilohertz (kHz -

thousands of cycles per

second) to 300 gigahertz

(GHz - billions of cycles per

second).

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CHARACTERISTICS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC

WAVE

Frequency (f) is the number of

waves formed per second

Wave –oscillation

accompanying the transfer of

energy from one end to

another.

Amplitude(a)

Time (t)

Wavelength (λ)

4/2/2019

f =1/t

f = C/ λ, where C is speed of light (Wave Equation)


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THE RF SPECTRUM CHARACTERISTICS

Characteristics of the RF Spectrum

Finite or limited and therefore a scarce natural resource.

It is a very precious resource which must be managed to ensure

efficient and equitable access for the services which use it.

Cannot be confined within national borders

Used and managed through international treaties and national

policies

Susceptible to interference.


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SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT Process of regulating the use of radio frequencies to promote

efficient use and gain a net social benefit.

Objective:

Unregulated use of RF spectrum can cause interference to other users;

Equitable access to services and users that require it;

Technical efficiency;

Economic efficiency consistent with the country’s objective;

Availability for national security and emergency communications;

Facilitate international coordination since RF waves do not recognize

national boundaries;

To promote scientific research, resource development, and exploration.

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HOW WE MANAGE SPECTRUM

International

Planning

• Planning , allocation & coordination occur at the Global and Regional level. i.e. ITU-R, CTO, ATU, WATRA, etc

• WRC, RRC and RA are important planning events

• Radio Regulations, ITU-R Recommendations are important tools for the spectrum manager

National

Planning

• Inter Agency Spectrum Planning & Allocation Meetings (held before WRC or RRC)

• Spectrum Management Committee (Section 59 of Act 775)

• Needs assessment from unsolicited applications

• National Frequency Allocation Table

Authorization & Assignment

• Command and Control (first come, first served or periodic application processing), Spectrum Commons (unlicensed bands), Beauty Contests, Auctions

• No Spectrum trading allowed in Ghana yet

Monitoring & Enforcement

• Use of automated spectrum monitoring and management system comprising fixed stations and mobile stations

• Ensuring compliance to licence/authorisation conditions

• Providing information on spectrum utilization and offering feedback into spectrum planning

The Spectrum Management Process

4/2/2019


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FREQUENCY ASSIGNMENT

Frequency assignment provide either dedicated or undedicated

spectrum for the operations of service (future and existing);

Frequency assignment must be effective and efficient;

Frequency assignment and allocation must be inconformity with the

ff:

ITU Radio Regulations

ITU Frequency Plans

ITU-R Recommendations

ITU operating rules and procedure

National legislation and procedure


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800MHz/900MHz Band

4/2/2019

FREQUENCY ASSIGNMENT cont’d


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5000 – 6000 MHz

UNLICENSED SPREAD SPECTRUM BANDS


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PROCESSES FOR FREQUENCY ASSIGNMENT

Command and Control

first come, first served or periodic application processing;

Spectrum Commons (unlicensed bands);

Market

Auctions;

Beauty Contests;

Unrestricted Usage;

Spectrum trading ( Not allowed in Ghana).

Spectrum refarming


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SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT TOOLS


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Location of Monitoring Stations

Fixed RF Monitoring Stations in 4 regional capitals

• Up to 3GHz

• Accra, Takoradi, Kumasi, Tamale

Mobile stations x5 • Up to 3GHz with one mobile station upgraded to

8GHz

• Direction Finding

• Violation Detection

TAKORADI

Monitoring Stations & Vans


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Handheld Monitoring Tools

NATIONAL

COMMUNICATIONS

AUTHORITY

SERVICES REGULATED

BY NCA


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SERVICES

Total of 26 Services

Mobile

Fixed

Broadcasting

Infrastructure

VAS

Type Approval

26

NATIONAL

COMMUNICATIONS

AUTHORITY

Update on the Transition from

Analogue to Digital Terrestrial

Television in Ghana


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OBJECTIVES FOR THE TRANSITION

Higher Spectrum Efficiency in TV

spectrum bands

Free up spectrum for new services

Enhance TV consumer experience

with Better Picture quality, Clearer

Sound & interactivity, etc

Expand Choice for TV viewers

whilst enhancing content diversity

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STEPS IN THE TRANSITION Planning

Network roll-out (Digital)

Integrated Digital

Receiver / Set Top Box

Specification

Manufacturing

Distribution

Retail & Installation

Dual illumination

Public Education

Uptake

Analogue Television

Switch-off

Yield Digital Dividend

29 2-Apr-19


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FREQUENCY PLANNING GE-06 Plan

WRC-07 created 790 – 862 MHz as 1st

dividend

WRC-12 created 694 – 790 MHz as 2nd

dividend

Re-planning of TV frequencies (470-694

MHz to amend GE-06:

Creation of eleven (11) allotment areas

Provision of four (4) layers/frequency

channels for each allotment.

Provision of additional frequency layers

in the allotments for Greater Accra,

Ashanti, Western and Northern regions.

Suppression of 106 UHF assignments in

the existing GE06

2-Apr-19 30


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STATUS OF GOV'T DTT NETWORK $82.3m GoG Contract with K-Net Ltd. signed in July 2015

for delivery of:

Transmission Network (42 sites, ≥2transmitters per site, ≥95% population coverage;

89% of land coverage)

Plus cost of 3 years operations & maintenance [including transponder & energy

costs]

2-Apr-19 31


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NATIONAL DTT NETWORK DIAGRAM

National Headend

Satellite Uplink

DVB-T2 Transmission sites

Satellite

MPEG-2 TS is sent to

DVB-S2 Modulator and

subsequently uplinked

“combines satellite communication with terrestrial TV to realize the transmission of digital TV”.

Provision has been made for an Earth Station at the Central headend.

Ku Band is recommended to enhance universal access through DTH.

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42 DTT SITES ACROSS 10 REGIONS

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ROLL OUT IMPLEMENTATION

2-Apr-19 34

Rollout was to be executed in three phases

Installation at Headend, Tx for G. Accra, Ashanti, Western, Central, Eastern

and Volta Regions completed and sites powered on.

Installtion of Tx in Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and West Regions

completed. Sites yet to be powered on. Sites yet to be commissioned

following installtion of transformers by NEDCo.


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KEY COMPONENTS OF GHANA DTT SPEC

2-Apr-19 35

RF Operation

HE-AAC

Video & Audio Codecs Accessibility

EPG LCN

Network Changes SI/PSI Functionality


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RECEIVER SPECIFICATION

Mandate minimum Behavior

Inter-

Operability

with

Transmission

Key Operations

(Real & Critical

Scenario)

“This document … sets minimum requirements for a free-to-

air DTT receiver which will result in a low cost, low

maintenance unit providing basic functionality”

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RECEIVER SPECIFICATION CONT.

Total of 485 FTA DTT receiver models certified as at end of 2018.

Nineteen (19) accredited conformance testing labs as at end of

2018.

Test Categories:

Radio Frequency (RF)

Electromagnectic Compatibility (EMC)

Service Information/Programme Specific Information (SI/PSI)

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CONFORMANCE TESTING LABS

2-Apr-19 38

DTV Accredited Compliance Lab (Samsung)

Sony (Malaysia) EMCS

Sony EMCS Kisarazu

Sony Koda EMC

CS & Environment Centre of

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd,

Korea

EMC Compliance Co. Ltd., Korea

UL Japan, Inc.

Nemko, Korea

Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services

(Hong Kong) Limited

Digital TV Testing Laboratory,

Telecom Technology Center,

Taiwan

OneTech Corp.,

Korea


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CONFORMANCE LOGOS

2-Apr-19 39


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MARKET SURVEILLANCE

National Communications Authority

Conducted official market visits by Head Office and

Regional Offices

Confiscation of unapproved receivers during Port

Inspection

Media & General Public

Encouraged to look out for logos when they go out

shopping

Encouraged Report suspicious logos or products to the

NCA

2-Apr-19 40


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PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS

Adverts

FM, TV, Newspapers

Billboards

NCA Social Media Platforms

Outreach

Schools

Markets

Churches

Transport Stations

41


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PUBLIC EDUCATION STRATEGY

National • to raise overall awareness

Regional

• to increase awareness and promote understanding

District

• to promote understanding and encourage action

Local Area

• to promote understanding and encourage action

2-Apr-19 42

message should be simple and straight forward

materials should be transmitted in at least the languages identified to be widely spoken in Ghana

all media platforms should be used

Outreach events to schools, churches, mosques, etc


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LCN ASSIGNMENTS LCN Company Service Name

1 Ghana Broadcasting Corporation GTV

2 GBC 24

3 GTV Gov

4 GTV Sports Plus

5 GTVLive

6 Obonu TV (GAR)

7 Crystal Radio Vision Network Ltd Crystal Prime

8 Crystal xtra

9 Crystal Plus

10 Television Africa Limited TV Africa

11 TV3 Network Limited TV3

12 Metropolitan Entertainment Television Metro

13 Net 2 TV Limited Net2

43

LCN Company Service Name

14 K&N Investment ETV

15 VIASAT Broadcasting Ltd VIASAT

16 Independent TV Limited Top TV

17 Empire Broadcasting Network

18 HBA TV & Communications Network Bryt TV

19 Three Angels Broadcasting Network 3 ABN

20 Great KOSA Company Limited Kantanka TV

21 C Television CTV

22 Orakle Advertising Limited N/A

23 Smart Multimedia Light TV

24 Multiple Concepts GH-One


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LCN ASSIGNMENTS CONT. LCN Company Service

Name

25 Integrated Media Xchange Atinka TV

26 U2 Company Limited UTV

27 Cardinal Foundation for Distance

Learning

CAFDIL

28 Centre for Intercultural Learning Talent

& Development

Coastal TV

29 Angel Broadcasting Services Limited ANGEL TV

30 LPT Services Limited Zylofon TV

31 XYZ Broadcasting Limited XYZ TV

32 Tri-Eagle SOUL TV

33 Pan African Broadcasting Limited Pan African

TV

34 Universal Multimedia Company Limited

44

LCN Company Service Name

35 Akorfa G Company Limited GN TV

36 Krowdrah Enterprise Cash TV

37 CHM FARMS Akuafo TV

38 Multimedia Group Limited Joy News

39 Kessben Television Limited Kessben TV

40 Mobile Zone Limited Max TV

41 Notice Board Limited Citi TV

42 Kyirfo Multimedia Broadcasting Limited

– Northern Region

43 Tony D. Company Limited – Volta Region

44 Royal Image Broadcasting Limited –

Ashanti Region

RTV

45 OTV Broadcasting Limited – Greater

Accra Region

OTV


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DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE (DTR) ON DTT

MULTIPLEX Digital Radio is the use of digital technology to

broadcast audio signals.

DTR is broadcast on the Digital Terrestrial

Television Multiplex platform.

The service is ONLY accessible to entities with

existing FM radio Authorisations.

Six (6) companies are currently Authorised to

deploy DTR.

45

NATIONAL

COMMUNICATIONS

AUTHORITY

DIGITAL DIVIDEND


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800MHz LICENSING - OBJECTIVES

2-Apr-19 47


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FIRST DIGITAL DIVIDEND (800MHz) Plan for 800MHz band is frequency

arrangement A3 in ITU Rec ITU-R

M.1036-4

Total of 2x30MHz available in Fisrt

Digital Dividend

2x5MHz not available until after

Analogue Switchoff (791-796 / 832-

837MHz)

2x10MHz auctioned to MTN in

2015 for US$67.5m

2x5MHz sold to Vodafone in Dec

2018 for US$30m

2x10MHz still available for IMT

48

ITU 800MHz Band Plan A3

Current State of 800MHz Band in Ghana


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Thank You!

49 2-Apr-19

Documents

LECTURE TO LEVEL 400 IT STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF …...legal framework 8 laws and policies description ict4ad policy 2003 information and communications technologies for accelerated