ITU adopts ATSC 3.0 as recommended digital-broadcast standard

In a development that the digital television standards organization says will open the door to worldwide deployments, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has adopted ATSC 3.0 as a recommended digital-broadcast benchmark. Based on the same IP-based technology used by OTT services, ATSC 3.0 is designed to expand flexibility and adaptability for broadcasters, allowing them to transmit data that will enhance TV broadcasts. It is designed to deliver broadcasts from 4K UHD to mobile signals, enabling new business models, and giving consumers a better experience. ATSC 3.0 is currently commercially deployed in South Korea, and US commercial deployment begins in the earnest during 2020. The next step in the development is to update the ITU Digital Handbook with best practices for implementation of ATSC 3.0.