Broadcasting Services (Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Statutory Instrument 26 of 2020.

S.I. 26 of 2020 [CAP. 12:06]

Services) Regulations, 2020
Broadcasting Services (Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting
Services) Regulations, 2020

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
PRELIMINARY
Section
1. Title.
2. Interpretation.
3. Application.

PART II
DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION BROADCASTING SERVICES
4. General.
5. Supply of television receivers.
6. Rights and duties of broadcasters, multiplex operators and signal
carriers.
7. Allocation of frequencies.
8. Licensing of digital television service.
9. Powers of the Authority.
10. Offences and penalties.
SCHEDULE: Digital Television Standards (470-694 MHz).
IT is hereby notified that the Minister of Information, Publicity and
Broadcasting Services has, in terms of section 46 of the Broadcasting
Services Act [Chapter 12:06], approved the following regulations
made by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Board:—

PART I
PRELIMINARY

Title
1. These regulations may be cited as the Broadcasting Services
Supplement to the Zimbabwean Government Gazette dated the 31st January, 2020.
(Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Services) Regulations,
Printed by the Government Printer, Harare. 2020.

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Interpretation (16) The receiver shall have the following buttons power, channel change,
volume buttons must be separate.
2. In these regulations—
(17) The receiver shall be provided with the following accessories English
“Act” means the Broadcasting Services Act [Chapter 12:06]; user manual, infra-red remote control, RCA (1.5m), Power Cable (1.5m), remote
“authority” means authority defined in terms of section 3 of control batteries.
the Act; (18) The receiver shall have a warranty of 12 months.
“analogue television broadcasting” means a television
broadcasting service that utilises the analogue system
of transmission;
“analogue television set” means a television set that does not
have a digital tuner to the standards specified in these
regulations;
“Broadcaster” means any person licensed to provide any class
of broadcasting service;
“Digital television broadcasting” means a television
broadcasting service that utilises the digital system of
transmission;
“Digital television set” means a television set that has a digital
tuner to the standards specified in these regulations;
“Head-end operator” means the entity that is responsible for
aggregating the content of licensed broadcasters for
distribution to the transmitter sites;
“HEVC” means High Efficiency Video Coding in accordance
with ISO/IEC 23008-8;
“High Definition Television (HDTV)” means the television
picture quality as defined in the MPEG 4 standard for
High Profile @ Level 4.0;
“licensee” means a broadcasting service licensee or a signal
carrier licensee;
“multiplex” means content aggregated to be carried on a
single frequency to its capacity of the equivalents of
six high definition channels;
“multiplexing” means aggregation of the content of licensed
broadcasters for distribution to the transmission
network;

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(4) All television receivers shall comply with all DVB-T2 modes of “MPEG 4 standard” means a joint technical committee of the
operation. International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and
(5) All television receivers shall be capable of decoding the HEVC/H265 the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC);
ISO/IEC 23008-8: Conformance Specification for HEVC, MPEG-4 standard in “National Head-end” means a facility where the channels of
accordance with ISO/IEC 14496-10 for image coding and ISO/IEC 14496-3 or all licensed broadcasters are received, multiplexed for
TS102366 for sound coding using HE-AAC. distribution to the transmission network;
8. (1) The television receiver shall support the reception of the following
“plan” means the digital television frequency allotment plan;
picture resolutions:
(a) 720x576i/25Hz; “Set-top-box” means a television receiver which is capable
of converting the digital television signal to an analogue
(b) 1280x720p/50Hz; and
television signal to allow for continued use of existing
(c) 1920x1080i/25Hz analogue television sets;
(2) The set-top-box shall support the PAL G video format. “Signal Carrier” means Signal Carrier defined in terms of the Act;
(3) The television receiver shall be capable of handling both the 4:3 and
16:9 aspect ratios.
“Standard Definition Television (SDTV)” means the television
picture quality as defined in the MPEG 4 standard for
(4) The television receiver shall be capable of supporting teletext, subtitling, Main Profile @ Level 3;
open and closed captioning, and the use of multiple languages.
(5) The television receiver shall support Electronic Programme Guide
“supplier” means any person who engages in the distribution
information for up to seven days including NOW and NEXT programmes. of television receivers whether free of charge or at a
cost to the recipient;
(6) The television receiver shall automatically follow network parameter
changes. “television receiver” means a digital television set or a set-
(7) The television receiver shall be capable of being upgraded through top-box;
off-air and USB port software upgrade. “terrestrial” means ground based or located on the earth’s
(8) The existence of FEFs and/or auxiliary streams shall not cause the surface; and
receiver to malfunction.
“transition period” means the period of six months after the
(9) The television receiver shall provide reception quality information switching on of a digital transmitter in any given area.
(both Status Check and Advanced Check) for a selected frequency.
(10) The television receiver power supply shall be 220V–240V 50Hz and Application
12V DC. 3. These regulations shall apply to all terrestrial television
(11) Video Audio output shall be RCA and HDMI. broadcasting licensees, signal carrier licensees and to suppliers of
(12) The receiver shall have ISO 9001 Quality Certification. television receivers.
(13) The receiver shall have Parental Guidance Support Programme Rating
PART II
Control (ETSI 300468).
(14) The Receiver shall have USB socket for other media and PVR DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION BROADCASTING SERVICES
Function. General
(15) The receiver shall have front display LED for STB status (time, 4. (1) Every terrestrial television broadcasting licensees and
channel number. every signal carrier licensee to which these regulations apply shall—
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(a) ensure that all television studios installed prior to the (5) The Broadcaster shall provide the Multiplex Operator with at least
date of commencement of these regulations are capable seven days of Electronic Programme Guide information, which should include
of providing a digital signal of the format set out in these NOW and NEXT programmes, in the format required by the Head End Operator
regulations; for the generation of Electronic Programme Guide.
(b) ensure that all television studios installed after the date (6) The use of Multiple-language audio shall be provided as may be
of commencement of these regulations are compliant required in terms of any statute.
with the standards set out in these regulations; and (7) The use of subtitling and captioning shall be supported and shall also
(c) comply with the relevant standards set out in the Schedule be used as maybe required in terms of any statute.
to these regulations. (8) The use of a Station ID is mandatory.
(2) Any specific standard referred to in these regulations shall 4. Network Interfaces
be available for inspection at the authority’s premises. All broadcast network interfaces, including those used inside studio facilities,
(3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section shall support the High Definition picture format.
shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 5. Multiplexing of Programmes
12 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding twenty years or to (1) The multiplexing of programmes shall be in accordance with ISO/
such fine and such imprisonment. IEC 13818-1.
(2) The following channel multiplexes are established by the Authority:
Supply of television receivers
(a) Multiplex A corresponding to Network 3
5. (1) The following conditions shall apply to the supply of
television receivers— (b) Multiplex B corresponding to Network 4
(a) with effect from the date of commencement of these (c) Multiplex C corresponding to Network 5
regulations the manufacture of or importation into (d) Multiplex D corresponding to Network 6
Zimbabwe of analogue television transmitters is prohibited;
6. Allocation of Multiplex Capacity to Licensees
(b) all suppliers of set top boxes shall be registered with
The Authority allocates these multiplexes as follows:
the Authority;
(a) Multiplex A–Public Broadcaster
(c) suppliers of set top boxes shall supply to the public
set top boxes that are in conformity with the receiver (b) Multiplex B–Other licensees
standards set out in these regulations and have been (c) Multiplex C–Reserved
type approved by the Authority; and (d) Multiplex D–Reserved
(d) suppliers of set top boxes shall provide the buyer with 7. Receiver Standards for the fixed reception environment
a written guarantee in respect of compliance with the
minimum receiver specification, including transmission (1) All television receivers shall be capable of turning to the UHF television
standards, and in the case of television sets the distinction band as specified in these regulations.
between an analogue television set, an Integrated Digital (2) All television receivers shall be capable of receiving television signals
Television set (IDTV) and a monitor; transmitted in compliance with the Terrestrial Transmission Standards set out in
(e) with effect from two years of the date of commencement these regulations.
of these regulations the manufacture of or importation (3) All television receivers shall be able to de-multiplex the MPEG-2
into Zimbabwe of analogue television sets is prohibited. Transport Stream (TS) in accordance with ISO/IEC 13818-1.

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(3) The following operating modes are approved: (2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section
- Normal mode shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level
12 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to
- Input Mode B (Multiple PLP)
such fine and such imprisonment.
(4) The transmitter equipment and sites shall comply with the following
technical parameters: Rights and duties of broadcasters, multiplex operators and signal
Transmitter power: as per Plan carriers
Transmitter frequency: as per Plan 6. (1) Subject to section 5, the signal carrier shall ensure that the
Frequency tolerance: 500 Hz current services of the Public Broadcaster shall continue to be made
available as analogue until the end of the transition period.
2 kHz < 100W pep
(2) The signal carrier shall ensure that all areas currently
5 kHz < 1W pep (V)
receiving analogue television services receive digital services by the
10kHz<1W pep (U)
end of the transition period and shall be received as digital services
Level of spurious emissions: 60dBc, < 12mW for UHF. after the transition period.
Spectrum mask: non-critical (3) There shall be a National Head-end to be operated by the
Antenna pattern: as per Plan Signal Carrier as a Head-end Operator, where all television services
Transmitter site location: as per Plan within a 15km radius shall be multiplexed for distribution to the transmission network.
3. Studio Standards (4) In operating the National Head-end the Head-end Operator
(1) For use in the studio and for other video productions, including
shall generate Electronic Programme Guides which include NOW and
international exchange of programmes, with the exception of historical material
NEXT programmes and programme information for at least seven days.
and breaking news, the 4:2:2 coding standard or better shall be used in accordance (5) The Head-end Operator shall employ statistical
with ITU-R BT 601 or BT 709 for 625-line, 50 fields/s system, 16:9 aspect ratio multiplexing at the National Head-end and shall provide the Authority
and 13.5MHz or 74.25MHz sampling frequency respectively. with information relating to available programme capacity which does
(2) All television studios shall deliver for transmission all picture formats not result in overflow at the transmitter.
at 4:2:0 sampling rate. (6) Broadcasting licensees, the Head-end Operators and Signal
(3) All video signals shall be compressed to the MPEG-4 AVC/Part 10/
Carrier licensees shall enter into relevant service level agreements in
H264 standard in accordance with ISO/IEC 14496-10 for image coding with the
respect of signal availability, coverage, video and sound quality, and
compliance with the standards set out in these regulations.
following video parameters:
(7) The service level agreement referred to in subsection 6
AVC Profile High
may include compensation for failure to provide service by any party
AVC Level 4.0
to the agreement.
Frame Rate 25 or 50
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Allocation of frequencies
and ISO/IEC 14496-3 for sound coding using HE-AAC.
7. (1) The Authority shall allocate television broadcasting
(4) The studio output signal to the Head-end shall be an MPEG-2 Transport frequencies to each multiplex.
Stream to ISO/IEC 13818-1.

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(2) The Public Broadcaster shall be entitled to capacity equivalent contravenes these regulations shall be guilty of an offence and liable
to one multiplex for the provision of public broadcasting services. to a fine not exceeding level 12 or to imprisonment not exceeding
(3) One multiplex shall be allocated to other broadcasters for five years, or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
the provision of commercial television broadcasting services.
SCHEDULE (Section 4)
(4) The fees payable in respect of each frequency shall be the DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION STANDARDS (470-694 MHz)
sum of the fee chargeable per service whether the service is actually
provided or not. 1. Frequency bands
(1). Digital television services shall be provided in the UHF television band
Licensing of digital television services from 470 to 694 MHz in accordance with the International Telecommunication
8. (1) The Public Broadcaster shall, for the purpose of the regulations Union GE-06 Agreement.
be deemed licensed to provide all television services already licensed on the 2. Transmission Standard
analogue platform prior to the date of commencement of these regulations, (1) The digital television transmission standard shall be the Second
and shall apply for licences to bring into use the remaining capacity. Generation Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-T2) standard to European
(2) The de-facto standard for all channels is High Definition. Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) EN302755 in an 8MHz channel.
The DVB-T2 operating mode, including the choice of system parameters
Powers of the Authority shall be approved by the Authority.
9. (1) Subject to the Act, the Authority shall have the power (2) The system parameters shall be selected from the table below:
to order a broadcasting licensee, Signal Carrier licensee, Multiplex
Modulation FEC Pilot Pattern FFT size Code rate* Guard interval
Operator, receiver supplier or any other person to whom these
QPSK or LDPC PP1 2k 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 1/32, 1/16, 1/8,
regulations apply to comply with these regulations. 16-QAM or +BCH 1/4
3/4, 4/5, 5/6
(2) The Authority may determine which of the existing 64-QAM or ½, 3/5, PP2 4k 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 1/32, 1/16, 1/8,
analogue television transmitters may continue to operate after the 256-QAM 2/3, ¾, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6 1/4
both rotated 4/5, 5/6
transition period taking into account compliance with International and non- PP3 8k 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 1/128, 1/32, 1/16,
Telecommunication Union GE-06 Agreement. rotated 3/4, 4/5, 5/6 19/256, 1/8,
19/128, 1/4
(3) Subject to the law which may be in force, the Authority may PP4 16k 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 1/128, 1/32, 1/16,
direct any licensee to share its infrastructure with other licensees in 3/4, 4/5, 5/6 19/256, 1/8,
circumstances where the Authority determines that such infrastructure 19/128, 1/4
cannot easily be duplicated or reproduced. However, such direction PP5 32k 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 1/128, 1/32, 1/16,
shall not waive the payment of reasonable access fees and shall be 3/4, 4/5, 5/6 19/256, 1/8,
subject to technical limitations and security concerns. 19/128
PP6 8k 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 1/128, 1/32, 1/16,
(4) The Authority reserves the right to ensure that there is extended 3/4, 4/5, 5/6 19/256, 1/8,
non-discriminatory access to facilities or to the supply of services by 19/128, 1/4
any persons to which these regulations apply. PP7 16k 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 1/128, 1/32, 1/16,
extended 3/4, 4/5, 5/6 19/256, 1/8,
Offences and penalties 19/128, 1/4
10. Without prejudice to the power of the Authority to suspend PP8 32k 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 1/128, 1/32, 1/16,
or revoke any broadcasting or signal carrier licence; any Broadcasting extended 3/4, 4/5, 5/6 19/256, 1/8,
19/128
Licensee, Signal Carrier Licensee, Head-end Operator, receiver
* For block sizes of 16,200 and 64,800 bits
supplier or any other person to which these regulations apply who
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