INTERVIEW WITH NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (NTC)

The group conducted a short interview with Engr. Mark Anthony Lopez, NTC
(National Telecommunications Commission) Region 3 Engineer, to be able to have
an overview about Aerial Signal and Cable Television Service particularly in the area
of San Marcelino, Zambales.

The following questions were asked and answered:

What is the quality of Aerial Signal Television in Zambales Area or

particularly San Marcelino, Zambales?

"Reception for TVRO or Television Receive Only which is transmitted via

satellite is not always good or clear most especially during bad weather conditions.
Low quality of aerial signal occurs during rainy season or typhoon."

"Geographical location of Zambales is also another factor for a lower

reception quality, that is because the area is being surrounded by mountains and
the more distant local channels are, the lesser the quality of TVRO becomes."

What information could you give us about the Cable Television service in
Zambales Area or particularly in San Marcelino, Zambales?

"Unlike Aerial Signal or TVRO, there are more channel options for Hill View
Cable or Cable Television Service. Hill View Cable or Cable TV now offers fiber
optics and internet connection which make the reception of good quality and
viewing becomes more interesting."

What terminologies used in Aerial Signal for Television and Cable

Television Service could you share with us?

Cable Distribution System - all the active and passive devices used to
deliver CATV signals from the headend to the subscriber.
Channel - a band of frequencies, 6 MHz wide, that contains all the audio,
video, synchronizing, and color information of a television signal.
Frequency - the number of complete cycles occuring in a given time span.
The number of times an electromagnetic wave repeats in 1 second.
Headend - is the main site at which all the signals from the various program
resources are received, assembled, processed and combined for transmission
through the distribution network. It is the originating point for all services
carried on a cable television system.
Hertz - the basic unit of frequency.
 Interference - any electrical or electromagnetic signal that causes an
unwanted response.
Satellite Receiver - the indoor electronic component of an earth station
which downconverts, processes and prepares satellite signals for viewing or
listening.
Satellite Television Receive Only (TVRO) Station - a station composed of
one or more TVRO satellite dishes.
Signal - any visible or audible indication which can convey information. Also,
the information conveyed through a communication system.
Splitter - a passive device used to divide the power equally into two paths.
Standby Power Supply - an emergency source of energy used to power
CATV equipment in the event of a power outage.
Subscriber - a person who pays a fee for cable services.
Subscriber Terminal - the cable television system terminal to which a
subscriber's equipment is connected.

Are there other pertinent data about Aerial Signal for Television and Cable
Television Service that you could share with us?

Television Receive Only (TVRO) or Aerial Signal

TVRO is an antenna which is generally parabolic in shape used to receive

signals from various satellites.

The technical requirement is that satellite dishes employed in CATV system

can be either wire mesh or solid such as aluminum sheet and fiberglass in their
construction. Solid dishes should be preferred that the wire mesh dishes for the
main reason that they have the advantages of being durable and have higher
performance/efficiency when receiving signal coming from the satellite because of
smooth surfaces and local accuracy. Wire mesh dishes should only be employed
when the location has a great wind velocity/pressure.

CATV System or Cable Television

CATV System is any facility that, in whole or in part, receives directly or

indirectly over the air and amplifies or otherwise modifies or improves the signals
transmitting programs broadcast by one or more television, satellite or radio
stations and distributes such signals by wire or cable to subscribing members of the
public who pay for such service, but such term shall not include (1) any such facility
that serves fewer than 50 subscribers, or (2) any such facility that serves only the
residents of one or more apartment dwellings under common ownership, control or
management, and commercial establishments located on the premises of such an
apartment house, which may be subject to other laws and regulations.
 Each separate and distinct community or municipal entity constitutes a
separate cable television system, even if there is a single headend and identical
ownership of facilities extending into several communities.