51 replies to this topic

[Will Plumridge]

There is a bill making its way through parliament at the moment that varies the BSA in quite a few places.  Some of it is just to allow remote broadcasters to do stuff that they need to do.  Other parts do useful, good things like extending VAST to some external territories.  The part of the explanatory memo that I quote below seems to allow the analog switch-off timetable for 2013 to be rewritten:

Quote

The final switchover dates in all of the metropolitan areas are likely to be subject to
significant change. These necessary variations in the switchover dates are to facilitate
a staggered approach to the transition to digital television in metropolitan areas to
enable both Government assistance schemes and broadcaster engineering resources to
be available and appropriately managed to achieve digital switchover by the end of
2013. These dates could not be changed outside the six month window by a variation
to the Broadcasting Services (Simulcast Period for Metropolitan Licence Areas)
Determination (No. 1) 2009, due to the restrictions set out in subclause 6A(9) and
6A(10) of Schedule 4.

For the last year, I have noticed that DBCDE propaganda about the last year of switch-off has been made more vague, as if they were preparing to change the previously advertised 30th June 2013 and 31st December 2013 dates.  The non-metro switch-offs in 2013 have never had advertised dates, so they are not affected.  I have always doubted whether the DBCDE would be funding a big call centre for Sydney and Melbourne staffed to capacity in the early hours of New Years Day.

Regards,
Will

[nbound]

Can you provide a link please?

(Interested in reading the changes for remote broadcasters aswell)

Edited by nbound, 27 May 2012 - 12:57 PM.

[Will Plumridge]

nbound, on 27 May 2012 - 12:55 PM, said:

Can you provide a link please?

(Interested in reading the changes for remote broadcasters aswell)

Yes, sorry.  I should have added a link for this:

http://www.aph.gov.a...esult?bId=r4810

Regards,
Will

[nbound]

Complete proposed changes:

Quote

·    facilitating earlier access, in particular circumstances, to the digital commercial satellite television services licensed under section 38C of the BSA (known as the Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST)) in areas where it is considered viewers will not be able to receive adequate reception of all the applicable terrestrial digital commercial television services at the time of digital switchover;

·    allowing for retransmission services provided digitally by third parties who represent commercial television broadcasting licensees to be taken into account by a scheme administrator when administering a conditional access scheme for the VAST services, and by the Australian Communications and Media Authority when it makes a declaration that an area is service - deficient (so that viewers in the area can access the VAST services);

·    enabling the VAST licensees to provide their digital commercial television satellite services to specified external Territories of Australia;

·    allowing licensees in the Remote Central and Eastern Australia terrestrial licence areas to nominate multiple places in their licence area b y which their compliance with time-based broadcasting obligations will be assessed , so that those licensees can accommodate different input feeds from the VAST services for their terrestrial transmitters in different parts of their licence area;

·    providing the Minister with greater flexibility to vary the timing of a simulcast period relating to a metropolitan or regional licence area, so that the variation may be more than three months earlier or later than the period originally specified (provided that the date determined as the end of the simulcast period is before 31 December 2013);

·    providing the Minister with greater flexibility to vary the timing of when a local market area becomes a digital - only local market area, so that the variation may be more than three months earlier or later than the time originally specified.

**


Territories to be covered by VAST:

Quote

6.    Item 1 would amend item 1 in column 2 of the table in subsection 38C(1) of the BSA to include Norfolk Island within the South Eastern Australia TV3 licence area.

7.    Item 2 would amend item 2 in column 2 of the table in subsection 38C(1) of the BSA to include the Coral Sea Islands Territory within the Northern Australia TV3 licence area.

8.    Item 3 would amend item 3 in column 2 of the table in subsection 38C(1) of the BSA to include the Territory of Christmas Island and the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands within the Western Australia TV3 licence area.

and incase Norfolk don't want it, too bad!

Quote

New subsection 41CA(5A) would provide that a commercial television broadcasting service licensed under section 38C of the BSA with a licence area that includes Norfolk Island may provide that service despite a law of Norfolk Island about broadcasting services. This new subsection makes clear that if for example a law of Norfolk Island purports to prohibit or limit the provision of a broadcasting service of a kind authorised by a licence under section 38C of the BSA, the service can be provided despite that law.

** Edit: Incorrect info removed - consisting of that singular line only

Edited by nbound, 27 May 2012 - 05:31 PM.

[Will Plumridge]

nbound, on 27 May 2012 - 01:34 PM, said:

Looks like cut-off for metro markets would still be before 2014 (31/12/13 is the absolute latest possible), just that it could be upto 3 months earlier. Which is fair enough considering theyve had longer periods of simulcast than anyone else to get ready (and far longer than some regions).

I am not a lawyer, but the way I read the memo was that the effect of the amendments was to allow the metro switch-offs to be more than three months away from the original dates.  Note that the outline states:

Quote

providing the Minister with greater flexibility to vary the timing of a simulcast period
relating to a metropolitan or regional licence area, so that the variation may be more
than three months earlier or later than the period originally specified (provided that the
date determined as the end of the simulcast period is before 31 December 2013)

Any market could already have switch-off delayed to a date no later than 30 June 2014 in the case of "unforeseeable difficulties".  (Notes on clauses #50).

[DrP]

The potential for an earlier switch-off is interesting, but given the track record of the broadcasters it would not be particularly surprising that if the eventual switch off date is pushed back as far as the piece of elastic permits.

Edited by DrP, 27 May 2012 - 05:29 PM.

[nbound]

Will Plumridge, on 27 May 2012 - 05:23 PM, said:

I am not a lawyer, but the way I read the memo was that the effect of the amendments was to allow the metro switch-offs to be more than three months away from the original dates.  Note that the outline states:



Any market could already have switch-off delayed to a date no later than 30 June 2014 in the case of "unforeseeable difficulties".  (Notes on clauses #50).

Sorry, it was more than 3 months, my mistake .

Didnt read those individual clauses, though unforseeable difficulties of that nature are quite unlikely, and if they occured would probably impact negatively on the channel restack aswell

[Will Plumridge]

DrP, on 27 May 2012 - 05:28 PM, said:

The potential for an earlier switch-off is interesting, but given the track record of the broadcasters it would not be particularly surprising if the eventual switch off date is pushed back as far as the piece of elastic permits.

nbound, on 27 May 2012 - 05:29 PM, said:

Didnt read those individual clauses, though unforseeable difficulties of that nature are quite unlikely, and if they occured would probably impact negatively on the channel restack aswell

I don't see this as a mechanism for stretching the elastic past 31/12/2013 at all (except just maybe by Imparja/SCA in remote SA).  I believe that it is much more likely to be a mechanism for redesigning the switch-off timetable for 2013.  It was never practical to have three capital cities turn off on New Years Eve and even the Sunday night turn-off for Perth and Brisbane was very unlikely.  Looking at the way that DBCDE documents are being modified, I think that we will see a staggered timetable for 2013.  I think that we may even see a region or two move from the second half of 2013 to the first half (my bet is on regional WA).

Far from being allowed to delay the restack, I see this as a chance to get on with the restack in some regions before 2013 is finished, especially in WA, where so much of the state has been "pre-stacked".

Edited by Will Plumridge, 27 May 2012 - 05:45 PM.

[nbound]

Will Plumridge, on 27 May 2012 - 05:44 PM, said:

Far from being allowed to delay the restack, I see this as a chance to get on with the restack in some regions before 2013 is finished, especially in WA, where so much of the state has been "pre-stacked".

Could be a possibility in WA, would be a bit more difficult in the more spectrally congested eastern states (ie. QLD/NSW/VIC) - Not as much stopping SA/NT and even less stopping Tasmania (doesnt have to worry about cross border interference as much [excluding Melbourne under very exceptional conditions]). Whether this is possible under the current arrangements Im unsure.

Edited by nbound, 27 May 2012 - 06:54 PM.

[M'bozo]

and even less stopping Tasmania (doesnt have to worry about cross border interference as much [excluding Melbourne under very exceptional conditions])

With 8 sites (potentially more if self help sites get the nod) within the area I service, I wouldn't like to be the frequency planner for this little exercise.

Not all these sites are protected by terrain or distance considerations, either.

And, notwithstanding that, during the summer months, Latrobe Valley & Ballarat (VIC) cause havoc in low signal strength areas here, when ducting is about. I expect this will not get better post restack.





Not exactly on topic, article here regarding the proposed spectrum auction later this year:

Link

[nbound]

M, on 27 May 2012 - 08:11 PM, said:

and even less stopping Tasmania (doesnt have to worry about cross border interference as much [excluding Melbourne under very exceptional conditions])

With 8 sites (potentially more if self help sites get the nod) within the area I service, I wouldn't like to be the frequency planner for this little exercise.

Not all these sites are protected by terrain or distance considerations, either.

They certainly have a job ahead of them. I have 9 in my area. And many more not far outside.

[alanh]

All,
There are already changes much greater than 3 months earlier.
http://www.digitalre...over-towns.aspx As an example Carnarvon WA has had analog switched off but the whole licence area is due to analog switchoff at the end of 2013.

Switch off dates according to the Digital Ready Website.
Canberra Tuesday 5th June 2012.
Sunday 30 June 2013, Brisbane and Perth. Hobart, first half of 2013. Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, the morning of Tuesday 31 December 2013
Darwin 2nd half of 2013

There are some translators planned for all mainland state capital city which will need to be either on air or become an "early switchover" site. Early switchover sites switch off analog and digital switched on the same day.

This rollout program has been very successful with very few complaints. The mainland capital cities have had digital transmissions since 2001 and there is plenty of warning of an analog switchoff. The main problem is to get the owners of rental properties to ensure that existing anenna systems are digital capable, particularly MATV systems.

The digital ready website and phone centre have had many experiences of switchoffs so far with currently all of regional Victoria, Qld and very shortly all of southern NSW completed. Northern NSW by the end of the year.

Considering that in capital cities there is only small number of low powered translators required why should the switchoff dates slip? Which regional switchoff dates have slipped so far?

The last switch off in populated areas must occur by 31st December 2013 because of the sale of channels 52 - 69 to the wifi industry. http://www.minister....leases/2010/062http://www.minister....leases/2010/062 says that the sale of these channels is worth around $10 billion, is a big incentive to do the digital restack quickly.

AlanH

[nbound]

alanh, on 27 May 2012 - 09:04 PM, said:

All,
There are already changes much greater than 3 months earlier.
http://www.digitalre...over-towns.aspx As an example Carnarvon WA has had analog switched off but the whole licence area is due to analog switchoff at the end of 2013.

Early switchovers for single transmitters are different than early switchovers for for entire license areas. This refers to allowing entire areas to switch early, completing their switchover ahead of schedule (it also allows behind schedule too)

alanh, on 27 May 2012 - 09:04 PM, said:

Switch off dates according to the Digital Ready Website.
Canberra Tuesday 5th June 2012.
Sunday 30 June 2013, Brisbane and Perth. Hobart, first half of 2013. Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, the morning of Tuesday 31 December 2013
Darwin 2nd half of 2013

Canberra, Hobart, and Darwin are not Metro markets.

alanh, on 27 May 2012 - 09:04 PM, said:

There are some translators planned for all mainland state capital city which will need to be either on air or become an "early switchover" site. Early switchover sites switch off analog and digital switched on the same day.

How can the new metro fill-in transmitters be early switchover if they never broadcast analog.

alanh, on 27 May 2012 - 09:04 PM, said:

The digital ready website and phone centre have had many experiences of switchoffs so far with currently all of regional Victoria, Qld and very shortly all of southern NSW completed. Northern NSW by the end of the year.

Considering that in capital cities there is only small number of low powered translators required why should the switchoff dates slip? Which regional switchoff dates have slipped so far?

Noone is stating that a slip is going to happen, but the final switchoff is much bigger than any of those preceeding (Combined Syd/Gosf/Melb/Adel population = 10 million).

Edited by nbound, 27 May 2012 - 09:55 PM.

[GoForMoe]

I noted in another thread about new transmitters covering the Geelong region to be launched later this year, combined with a switchoff of current analogue translators - that are being planned for frequencies that are both above channel 51 and not block planned. This despite regional Victoria already having switched off analogue.

So far from starting the restack early, they are still going to be adding new services to fill gaps in digital coverage that will need to be shifted down the track, and that means that if antennas are installed later this year to take advantage of these new services, they will not be ideal for their post restack allocations.

At the very least the post-restack positions of channels should be known so that antenna installers can take that in to account, bit I predict chaos.

[nbound]

GoForMoe, on 27 May 2012 - 09:55 PM, said:

I noted in another thread about new transmitters covering the Geelong region to be launched later this year, combined with a switchoff of current analogue translators - that are being planned for frequencies that are both above channel 51 and not block planned. This despite regional Victoria already having switched off analogue.

So far from starting the restack early, they are still going to be adding new services to fill gaps in digital coverage that will need to be shifted down the track, and that means that if antennas are installed later this year to take advantage of these new services, they will not be ideal for their post restack allocations.

At the very least the post-restack positions of channels should be known so that antenna installers can take that in to account, bit I predict chaos.

They cant pre-stack on the east coast as there isnt enough room to do it, (some new transmitters are prestacked, or partially so though).  I predict chaos as well, but the likely restack groups for the major transmitters australia-wide have been published by ACMA here

Edited by nbound, 27 May 2012 - 10:11 PM.

[alanh]

Nbound,
Currently the sites in WA which are early switchover are sites which the ABC, SBS and the new commercial transmitters are in the same band. Broadcast Australia are expecting that the WA regional TV install will be completed in August this year. Virtually all sites are are installing transmitters using the digital restack groups. Some ABC transmitters will need to change band to comply with the digital restack.

Quote

There are some translators planned for all mainland state capital city which will need to be either on air or become an "early switchover" site. Early switchover sites switch off analog and digital switched on the same day.

An example Perth (Bickley) SBS 28 analog, SBS 29 digital
New transmitter site for Mandurah/Singleton
ABW 29
SBS 28
TVW 30
STW 31
NEW 33
This will mean that Bickely SBS analog and digital transmitters will have to switched off to allow these transmitters can start transmission.
WTW 32 is radiated from Carmel for the Perth region.

On Sunday 30 June 2013 (currently advertised date) all analog Perth transmitters will be switched off. At that time SBS 7 digital will have to switch on to allow the above transmitters to start operation. Yet to be allocated channels are translators in the CBD, Perth Coastal.

So the reason for "early switchover" is that the Mandurah/Singleton ABC/SBS transmitters will have to start transmission on the same day that TVW7 & SBS 28 analog are switched off.

The population has no effect on the switchoff, because these areas have had digital transmissions for many years. So all but a few translators the broadcasters' work was done years ago to provide digital transmissions. It is upto the property owners to get ready. There has been plenty of warning.

Alanh

[nbound]

Again, we are talking about whole areas being switched off early (Say Nthn NSW being switched off in October for example).

[Will Plumridge]

nbound, on 28 May 2012 - 10:52 PM, said:

Again, we are talking about whole areas being switched off early (Say Nthn NSW being switched off in October for example).

I think that is one thing that we will NOT see - I can't see the Northern NSW switch-off being brought forward at all, since the 27/11/2012 date is being currently advertised.

What I believe you will see is a substantial change to the order and timing of switch-off in 2013.  Instead of the original plan of Tasmania, then Perth and Brisbane on 30/6/2013, then RCEA, RRWA and Darwin in some order and then Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide on 31/12/2013, I suggest that the five largest cities will be staggered with at least a few weeks between them to reduce the peak load on call centres and such.  I would not be surprised if Tasmania and Darwin are done sooner than originally planned, since they are more "ready".  I would not be surprised if RRWA is done in the first half of 2013 instead of the second half, since there seems to be very few self-help sites to wait for and the broadcasters' roll-out should be well finished by then.  Since the roll-out by SCA/Imparja in RCEA seems glacial by comparison, I suspect that RCEA could be left until last.

Edited by Will Plumridge, 29 May 2012 - 12:05 AM.

[alanh]

Will,
Consider the following;
There is no suggestion that the contract with Optus for the satellite channels for the Aurora service will continue past the end of next year. This being the case all transmitters must be running before that time. On small sites, particularly self-help sites it is much more cost effective to use early switchover. This means that the installation crew only has to visit each site once.

With WA regional installations finishing around August this year, the first half of next year can be used for the RCEA.

Tasmania requires around 27 sites to get commercial DTV added. Some will also need SBS as well.

Remote eastern/central licence area transmitter sites (both broadcaster and self funded)
SA Remote 9 sites
Victoria 1 site
NSW 16 sites
Qld 56 sites
NT 3 sites

This list is provisional.



All other analog sites going to individual VAST receivers

AlanH

Edited by alanh, 29 May 2012 - 01:22 AM.

[nbound]

Will Plumridge, on 29 May 2012 - 12:04 AM, said:

I think that is one thing that we will NOT see - I can't see the Northern NSW switch-off being brought forward at all, since the 27/11/2012 date is being currently advertised.

Neither can I, it was an example.

[GoForMoe]

New switchover dates per http://www.mediaspy....ates-announced/ (also http://www.digitalre...-by-Region.aspx if you're someone who distrusts sources; and http://www.minister....leases/2012/098 if you're someone who likes ministerial releases)

Quote

• Adelaide - 2 April 2013
  
• Tasmania - 9 April 2013
  
• Perth - 16 April 2013
  
• Brisbane (incl. Sunshine and Gold Coasts) - 28 May 2013
  
• Darwin - 30 July 2013
  
• Sydney (incl. Central Coast) - 3 December 2013
  
• Melbourne - 10 December 2013

Senator Conroy has also requested that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) set switchover dates for the two remote regions, Western Australia and Central/Eastern Australia, in June and December respectively.

This should help give stations a bit of a buffer for if things go wrong and also help smooth along the restack process (more planning for which should be announced next month).

Edited by GoForMoe, 25 June 2012 - 03:36 PM.

[nbound]

Cheers Go for Moe, looks like the digitalready call line is in for a hard slog next year, lol

[alanh]

Go for moe,
You left out the VAST satellite retransmission sites.
Remote and Regional WA 25th June 2013 which will require a hurry up in the Kimberley retransmitters
Remote and Regional Eastern and Central Australia 10th December 2013 which is the same as Melbourne.

So it would seem that the Optus Aurora DVB-S/MPEG-2 service will also be switched off then.

AlanH

[GoForMoe]

alanh, on 25 June 2012 - 06:26 PM, said:

Go for moe,
You left out the VAST satellite retransmission sites.

The only thing missed out was the exact dates - though I doubt there will be many transmitters in the remote areas switching off on exactly that date, owing to the large number of early switchover dates in remote Australia.

Quote

Senator Conroy has also requested that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) set switchover dates for the two remote regions, Western Australia and Central/Eastern Australia, in June and December respectively.

Though, you are correct in that those are the dates specified, which are viewable at the linked ministerial source - though I also provided detail of what was at the link so that people reading would know something about what they were about to click.

[alanh]

GoForMoe,
The only early switchover towns in WA are those which do not require a band change, because the towns in question already only use band 3 channels now and also do so after the switchover.

Nearly all remote sites which will be able transmit 5 networks are all very low power making the transmitters ant their installation cheaper and quicker.

AlanH