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Platforms and Operators
DTV Platforms
Digital TV can be transmitted through different means, including terrestrial radiocommunications, satellite, cable and broadband network. The platforms being used to broadcast digital TV services in Hong Kong are described below.
Terrestrial Radiocommunications - This is the conventional platform of transmitting TV programme services. Similar to current analogue TV programme service, digital TV signals are broadcast to the public through Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio spectrum from transmission stations located in different places in Hong Kong. ATV and TVB are providing digital TV on this platform.
Cable - Digital TV signals can be transmitted to households via hybrid fibre coaxial cable (HFC) network. At present, Hong Kong Cable TV Limited (HKCTV) provides digital TV to its customers through an HFC network. HKCTV also transmits its digital TV service through microwave multipoint distribution system and satellite to those areas beyond the reach of its HFC network.
Broadband Network - Broadband network is another means for delivering digital TV services. At present, PCCW Media Limited transmits its digital TV service over the asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) broadband network operated by PCCW-HKT Telephone Limited. TVB Pay Vision Limited (formerly Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting Limited) also carries its pay TV service on the broadband network of Hutchison Global Communications Limited.
Satellite - Broadcasters uplink their TV signals to satellites, which in turn transmits them to target areas for reception. Satellite TV signals are picked up by satellite dish and then sent to viewers' households directly or through Satellite Master Antenna Television (SMATV) system. Satellite is one of the platforms TVB Pay Vision Limited (formerly Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting Limited) uses to transmit its pay TV services.
DTV Operators
Terrestrial Radiocommunications (DTT scheduled to be launched in 2007 )
- Asia Television Limited (free TV)
- Television Broadcasts Limited (free TV)
Cable
- Hong Kong Cable Television Limited (pay TV)
Broadband Network
- PCCW Media Limited (pay TV)
- TVB Pay Vision Limited (formerly Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting Limited) (pay TV)
Satellite
- Starvision Hong Kong Limited (free/pay TV)
- TVB Pay Vision Limited (formerly Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting Limited) (pay TV)
- Starbucks (HK) Limited (free TV)
- China Entertainment Television Broadcast Limited (free TV)
- Turner International Asia Pacific Limited (pay TV)
- i-Cable Satellite Television Limited (free TV)
- Pacific Century Matrix (HK) Limited (free TV)
- Skywave TV Company Limited (pay TV)
- Hong Kong Cable Television Limited (pay TV)
- Auspicious Colour Limited (free TV)
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