I don't know what all of this means to travellers. I have been advised the existing Aurora sytem we currently use will be run in parallel to the new system for the foreseeable future.
I would expect HD will be availabe as well as SD. What satellite will be used AFAIK has not been stated but D3 is in the same positional orbit as D1 so this may be the one. Those with a fancy auto finding system will have to get new software to be able to use the new system.......assuming this software will become available.
One avantage of this system is HD and SD is transmitted in the 16:9 screen ratio which the Aurora system is not.
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By Emma Chalmers
January 06, 2010 12:00am
ALL Australian homes will have access to 16 free digital TV channels within the next four years under a plan to bring satellite coverage to the regions.
The Federal Government yesterday announced a satellite service for viewers in regional blackspot areas as part of the analog signal switch-off at the end of 2013.
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said the satellite signal – which will cost $40 million a year – was both a safety net and a future-proofing measure to cater for population growth.
"Our commitment is to ensure that all Australians get access to the same level of services," he said yesterday.
"All regional Australians will now receive the same television services as people in the cities."
About 247,000 Australians are not reached by a broadcaster-run TV tower and 155,000 of those rely on local council-run services many of which, he said, were held together with "sticky tape".
Under the plan, the TV broadcasters have agreed to upgrade 100 of the 600 local council towers to provide homeowners with digital TV via a set-top box.
Residents in areas not upgraded will be able to get a satellite service and receive a $300 subsidy to pay half of the cost of installing a satellite dish.
The list of sites to be upgraded is under negotiation between the Government and broadcasters.
Pensioners who need to install a set-top box will also get in-home assistance from the Government.
Homes in blackspot areas will have to pay the full $600 cost, but the Government is not sure as yet how many will be affected.
"When they flick the switch it will be come apparent because you'll have a blank screen," Senator Conroy said.
The first Queensland regions to make the digital switch from mid-2011 will be Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns and Toowoomba.
Senator Conroy said regional Australians would still be able to watch local news services with a dedicated local channel included in the transmission.
"Digital television means new channels and new content and better sound and better picture quality," he said.
The switch-off will also allow the Government to potentially reap more than a billion dollars from the sale of the remaining wireless spectrum, which will be auctioned off before 2013.
Senator Conroy said it was an "important national asset" and its auction was a "once in a generation opportunity" for new communications services.
The US spectrum sold at auction for $US19 billion ($A21 billion).
