112/05
27 September 2005

Review to drive digital take-up

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts today released an issues paper to examine the current arrangements for analogue television switch-off and seek feedback on a range of matters which will help formulate a Digital Action Plan to drive take-up of digital television.

Analogue broadcasting is currently scheduled to cease at the end of 2008 in the five main metropolitan markets. Analogue signals in regional markets are scheduled to switch-off by the end of 2011.

“Given the current level of digital take-up, an analogue switch-off date of 2008 in metropolitan areas seems unachievable. We need a Digital Action Plan to drive digital take-up and a plan for the transition to the point where Australia will be ready to end the expensive simulcast period,” Senator Coonan said.

“The issues paper is an important step. It will examine not only the timetable for analogue switch-off, but also the agenda which needs to be adopted by industry, the Australian Government and others to achieve switch-off.”

The review will cover a range of matters including whether the switch-off date should be market driven or whether a firm date should be set; measures to drive digital take-up; barriers to digital take-up; whether technical and standards issues need to be addressed to further encourage consumers to make the transition to digital and what measures can be brought together into a Digital Action Plan.

“The Australian Government has invested significantly in digital technology. Our existing commitment to digital TV is well over $1 billion to help both our national broadcasters convert to digital,” Senator Coonan said.

“We are also spending around $250 million on the Regional Equalisation Plan, which is assisting regional broadcasters in their conversion.

“I encourage all stakeholders and interested members of the community to participate in this review by responding to the issues paper.”

The issues paper is available at http://www.dcita.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/32142/Review_discussion_paper.pdf

Submissions in response to the issues paper should be made to the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts by Tuesday 8 November 2005.