Australia rethinks switchover date

Slow digital takeup has forced the Australian government to rethink its plans for analogue shutdown.

The proposed timetable would have seen switchover in the five main metropolitan markets - Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth - in three years, with regional signals switching off by the end of 2011.

Although digital coverage is high - 85% of the population is covered by DTT and 95% by at least one digital service - penetration stands at just 10%.

“Given the current level of digital take-up, an analogue switch-off date of 2008 in metropolitan areas seems unachievable," said communications minister Helen Coonan. "We need a Digital Action Plan to drive digital take-up and a plan for the transition to the point where Australia will be ready to end the expensive simulcast period."

A consultation has been launched to examine whether the current timetable should be revised and what should be done to drive takeup.

Proposed measures include forcing broadcasters to encourage takeup, subsidising set-top boxes and permitting the launch of new digital spinoff channels.