Analogue Television broadcasting is being gradually replaced throughout the world with Digital Television broadcasting and it was recently announced that in Sri Lanka this was being done with Japanese technical assistance.

There are different digital Television standards that are being used throughout the world. DVB-T/T2 technology is the dominant technology being used in over 165 countries, majority of countries in Asia, Europe and Pacific opting for this standard. The Japanese ISDB-T standard is used in only a few countries (less than 20), primarily in South America and only two in Asia (Japan and Philippines) opting to use this standard.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) after a technical study in consultation with Sri Lankan TV broadcasters and government agencies produced a 120 page report with a Road Map for transition of Analogue TV to Digital TV recommending DVB-T2 technology standard for Sri Lanka in February 2012.

Suddenly after the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister to Sri Lanka during the previous government it was announced that Sri Lanka was going to adopt the Japanese ISDB-T standard for Digital TV reversing the earlier decision to adopt DVB-T2 stabdard. With the change of government this decision was initially suspended but later it was announced that Sri Lanka was going ahead with ISDB-T standard.

By choosing a standard used by only a few countries in the world, Sri Lankan TV broadcasters and subscribers are at a disadvantage, the cost of Television transmitters and receivers may be higher with limited options than for a standard used in over 165 countries of the world.

The public has a right to know the rationale for changing the earlier decision of using DVB-T2 standard and opting for ISDB-T standard when over 165 countries have selected the DVB-T2 standard.

Was a proper technical feasibility study that included input from broadcasting industry and Engineers done in arriving at this decision to opt for Japanese ISDB-T system or was this decision made by politicians and bureaucrats without considering the technical implications ? Was a financial aid package from Japan the primary reason to override the earlier decision to use DVB-T2 and use the Japanese ISDB-T technology ?

It it time to ponder whether as Engineers we have been proactive enough in asserting our input for these type of decisions that impact our country.