Q1. What other Satellites beam PTV signals?
A. AsiaSat 3S (105.5°E) C-Band Television Channel Information.

Pakistan Television Corporation evolved through black and white to color TV, from microwave to fibre optic and now on to digital satellite broadcasting services. Due to rapid development of technologies and changes in the broadcast sphere, the analogue system is not able to address the challenges of the changing environment and therefore it was needed to upgrade and modernize it. This up-gradation/modernization procedure will decrease operational cost and also explore additional revenue opportunities.

PTV launched a full-scale satellite broadcasting service in 1991-92. Digital TV satellite broadcasting was launched in 1999. Digital satellite broadcasting enabled PTV to offer versatile services that take full advantage of beautiful sharp pictures, clear sound, and advanced functions. Presently, satellite broadcasting by Pakistan Television is being carried out via Asia Sat 3S(105.5 E) and Thaicom 3 (78.5 E). In 2002 PTV took a historic step by placing a digital carrier to provide uplink services to a private news channel, in the vicinity of the already existing analogue carrier. The analogue uplink format to Asia Sat 3S was digitalized in June 2003. It is pertinent to mention here that Thaicom-3 uplink facility is in the digital format since its installation in 1999.

In 2002 PTV Management decided to efficiently utilize their 36 MHz satellite capacity on Asia Sat 3S by launching a Multiple Channel Per Carrier (MCPC) Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) Platform with automated server based playout system called Program Scheduling System (PSS). Al-Hamdo-Lillah, today is a historic day for Pakistan Television. For the first time in Pakistan a broadcaster has installed the most modern technology to offer a versatile service that takes full advantage of top quality programming. This will not only give the viewer a better picture and sound quality but also boost the viewer’s confidence in PTV.

The launch of PTV digital MCPC & PSS Platforms will enhance PTV’s capability and capacity to launch new channels. PTV would also be able to use the infrastructure for strategic and commercial advantages in a competitive market place where the customer demand is increasing at a rapid pace. This Digital Satellite TV Platform for broadcasting multiple channels will provide uplink services for the upcoming private sector TV Channels, licensed by the Government of Pakistan (PEMRA). Last but not least, all these arrangements will not affect the Satellite & Terrestrial viewers of Pakistan Television; no new apparatus will be required to watch PTV. However, this technology will additionally provide them a bouquet of four PTV Channels on a single satellite frequency with a single satellite reception apparatus.


 

AsiaSat 3S (105.5 E)  Transponder V12
	MCPC-1 ETV	SCPC ETV	MCPC-2 PTV-K
Uplink Frequency	6316.0 MHz	6327.1 MHz	6336.5 MHz
Uplink Polarity	Horizontal	Horizontal	Horizontal
Downlink Frequency	4091.0 MHz	4102.1 MHz	4111.5 MHz
Download Polarity	Vertical	Vertical	Vertical
F.E.C	3/4	3/4	3/4
Symbol Rate	13.3333 Msps	2.893617 Msps	9.3333 Msps

AsiaSat 2 (100.5 E)  Transponder 4A
	SCPC-1 AJK TV
Uplink Frequency	6002.5 MHz
Uplink Polarity	Horizontal
Downlink Frequency	3777.5 MHz
Download Polarity	Vertical
F.E.C	3/4
Symbol Rate	3.3333 Msps

PakSat (38.0 E)
	SCPC-1 PTV BOLAN	SCPC-2 PTV-L	SCPC-4 PTV-P	Feeds on shared basis
Uplink Frequency	6456.25 MHz	6447.25 MHz	6451.75 MHz	6460.75 MHz
Uplink Polarity	Vertical	Vertical	Vertical	Vertical
Downlink Frequency	3431.25 MHz	3422.25 MHz	3426.75 MHz	3435.75 MHz
Download Polarity	Horizontal	Horizontal	Horizontal	-
F.E.C	3/4	3/4	3/4	3/4
Symbol Rate	3.2553 Msps	3.2553 Msps	3.3333 Msps	-