Media Release
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Building towards digital television switchover
The building and associated industries now have access to additional information to assist their planning for digital television switchover.
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, today jointly released a new industry handbook.
"This handbook has been developed to provide handy advice on the conversion of free-to-air television systems so that all Australian viewers can receive the benefits of free-to-air digital TV transmissions," Senator Conroy said.
The new handbook provides specific advice for the conversion of single-dwelling properties to digital television. It follows the release of a similar guide for multiple-dwelling properties.
"The handbooks are useful guides for property owners, owner-builders, tenants, real estate agents and property managers. They are also intended to assist those involved in the design, construction and maintenance of buildings and their TV systems, including architects, designers, developers, builders and electrical consultants," Senator Carr said.
Senator Conroy said it was important that Australians have the information required to make informed decisions about moving to digital television.
"From this week a campaign will begin to help Australia get ready for digital. This campaign will help ensure that those people yet to experience digital understand the benefits and how simple switchover can be."
Digital Switchover Taskforce Executive Director, Andy Townend said, "We are delighted to have been able to bring together the building, broadcast and antenna industries to produce this new handbook. Collaboration like this will be key to a successful switchover process."
Copies of both handbooks are available for download from www.abcb.gov.au or via links from www.digitalready.gov.au
Date: 6 April 2009
Contact: Tim Marshall (Senator Conroy's office) 0408 258 457
Catriona Jackson (Senator Carr's office) 0417 142 238
