Techtel and Samoa Digital Communications Limited to Build and Operate the Country’s First Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting Infrastructure

Sydney, 5 April 2019 - Techtel was selected by Samoa Digital Communications Limited, Samoa’s recently formed multiplex network operator to deploy the country’s first Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting infrastructure. This end-to-end solution will provide every household across Samoa’s two inhabited islands, Upolu and Savai'i with access to a variety of digital TV services.  Due for completion by the end of 2019, the new digital services will increase the volume of channels available for a large section of the population who up until recently received either no service or limited channels via the legacy analogue transmissions.

As a part of this greenfield project with zero legacy infrastructure, Techtel will install, integrate, commission and support the headend facility as well as 18 DVB-T2 transmission sites, which will deliver free-to-air digital TV services to 100% of the islands’ population. To be built in Vaitele, a suburb in Samoa’s capital with high line of sight, the new headend will represent a fully redundant broadcast facility for reliable distribution of Digital TV signals which involves SD/HD ingestion, MPEG-4 compression and multiplexing using Appear TV and PSI/SI generation and EPG Insertion by Barrowa; complemented by Egatel transmission systems and Bridge Technologies’ Nomad for signal monitoring.

Once processed, the TV signals will be transmitted to three other redundant remote transmission sites for broadcasting to local households and further downstream terrestrial transmission stations to reach geographically challenging areas. A total of 18 locations across two islands will receive transmission signals required to make the DTT services available to the entire population, enabled by Egatel’s DVB-T2 transmitter network consisting of four (1+1) transmitters for redundant and fourteen (1+0) transmitters for non-redundant sites. Egatel’s transmitters cover the main TV and RF spectrums and are equipped with the latest technology in signal processing allowing Digital TV signal broadcasting with the highest quality and reliability. In addition, Techtel provided RF infrastructural solution including DTT antennas, and feeders for every site and some filters and combiners at specific sites.

As a systems integrator, Techtel will provide professional services including system design, proof of concept and field measurements. This will be followed by years of ongoing support once the new DTT network is in operation.

“At Techtel, over many years we have developed a comprehensive approach to broadcast systems integration that now provides us with a unique ability to tackle projects from live production through to live transmission,” said Mal Chandler, CEO at Techtel. “We are proud that because of this capability, Samoan inhabitants residing in remote areas will soon have the privilege of enjoying Digital Terrestrial Television - the service that can be accessed anywhere on the two islands with a set-top-box and an existing antenna”.

“Samoa Digital Communications Limited is thrilled to make television viewing accessible for every Samoan household.  We will continue to invest in this venture, adding that there will be opportunities for pay and free-to-air services, local and international channels and new content opportunities”, said Tuiaopo Fa’amausili Andrew Ah Liki, Chairman Samoa Digital Communications Limited.

About Techtel

Techtel is a leading independent broadcast technology systems specialist, providing dedicated hardware and software to the Asia Pacific broadcast and telecommunications industries. Techtel’s expertise extends from consulting and systems integration through to the supply, installation and support of solutions from an elite class of worldwide partners. The Techtel Group has regional offices in Sydney and Singapore with branches in Auckland and Melbourne. Visit www.techtel.com.au

About Samoa Digital Communications Limited

SDCL is a privately-owned multiplex network operator, providing the platform for Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting in Samoa.