Australia to release 126 MHz of digital dividend

The Australian government has decided to release 126 MHz of broadcasting spectrum in a contiguous block from 694 to 820 MHz inclusive. This ‘digital dividend’ spectrum will become available as a result of the switch to digital only television broadcasting, which will be completed in Australia by the 31st December 2013.
The government aims to auction the digital dividend spectrum in the second half of 2012 but before that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) plans to release a discussion paper on the digital dividend. This is likely to be in the third quarter of this year, and it will set out planning and allocation issues and options for new spectrum licences. ACMA say that they will plan the digital dividend in full consultation with spectrum users.
Source: Telecompaper
Item added: 28th June 2010