Big switch off is here as TV industry moves to digital age

AS ANALOG television signals are switched off today, Ipswich antenna technicians are preparing for the biggest change in television transmission history.

Ipswich and Brisbane TV station frequencies will be reshuffled on June 27 in the final step in moving Australia to digital-only television.

Channels will be restacked to free up 126 megahertz of broadcasting spectrum, known as the digital dividend, to make way for the next generation of communications, including super-fast mobile broadband on the 4G network.

UHF/VHF Antenna Installations technician Gordon Jamieson said all SBS and community TV services, including Bris31, in Ipswich and Brisbane would be affected.

"On June 27, some TVs will come up with a notice to say you have new channels available, push OK and it will come up automatically," he said.

"Others will wake up in the morning and there will be nothing there.

"They need to go into menu using the remote control and retune their digital TV, set-top box or digital TV recorder by following the prompts."

He said he expected more channels to become available now the digital switchover had been completed as it allowed more than one broadcaster to use the same frequency.

Lady on the Roof antenna technician Cheryl-Anne De Lima said the television restack was "the biggest change to television transmission in history".

The first of the high-frequency digital dividend spectrum 700MHz and 2.5GHz bands were auctioned on May 7 to Optus, Telstra and TPG Internet, generating nearly $2 billion in revenue for the Federal Government.

Ms De Lima said the ultra-high frequency spectrum, previously used for broadcasting services, was highly valued for delivering wireless communications services.

The top end of the spectrum will be cleared to make way for a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve communication services.

"We're expecting to be busy in the coming months with those who have left it to the last minute to make the digital switch, and more so with reorganisation of some stations," she said.

"It is still unknown whether internet and broadband devices to use the spectrum could interrupt television signals."

Australian Communications and Media Authority chairman Chris Chapman said the reallocation of radio frequency bands would allow telcos Optus, Telstra and TPG to use the spectrum for wireless broadband services.

He said the digital dividend was able to carry signals over long distances, penetrate buildings and carry large amounts of data.

"By making spectrum previously required for analog television transmissions available to meet rising demand for high-speed wireless broadband, the digital dividend auction will well position the Australian telecommunications industry to deliver fast, ubiquitous and symmetrical mobile broadband connectivity to consumers and industry," Mr Chapman said.

The retune is due to be completed nationally by December 31.

For details about the retune, or to sign up for an SMS or email reminder, see the website at digitalready.gov.au/retune or call the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13.

TV SWITCH-OVER

• 92% of households in the Brisbane switch-over region have converted to digital TV.
• By the end of 2013 analogue free-to-air TV signals throughout Australia will be switched off and free-to-air TV will be broadcast in digital-only.