The deployment of ATSC 3.0 will greatly enhance the over-the-air services for viewers in North America as the new standard enables broadcasters to add 4K video service into their digital lifestyle programmes.
In order to streamline the licensing process, the 3.0 licence application has been reduced to ‘a single step’; thus, broadcasters switching to 3.0 simply need to file a modification licence application with the FCC.
The FCC authorised the new standard in November last year, but it did not accept any applications due to some ongoing modifications to its Licensing and Management System (LMS). During the interim period, the FCC granted temporary permission to broadcasters testing out ATSC 3.0.
It has advised temporary licence holders to file for the new modification licence to continue broadcasting in ATSC 3.0.
