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Digital futures - Planning for digital television and new uses
In August 2009, the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) released a discussion paper to invite industry consultation on proposed changes to the VHF and UHF radio spectrum bands and on options for the transition of regional television to digital transmission. These matters are part of the upcoming switch-over of television broadcasting to digital-only transmission.
Television broadcasting has been undergoing a transition to digital technology over the past decade. Government has not yet determined a digital switch-over but it is expected to occur in the period 2013 to 2015.
The discussion paper seeks feedback on the proposals that:
One-third of the UHF band be allocated as the core reservation for digital television on a nationwide basis;
One-third be used and allocated on a geographic basis to meet television licence commitments in urban areas and allow new uses such as broadband wireless services in less populous areas;
The remaining third of the UHF band, approximately the frequency range 694-806 MHz, be allocated nationwide to new uses such as new cellular mobile technologies;
The paper includes initial proposals for changes to the VHF bands, but for further re-planning to be deferred for up to five years. The discussion paper also sought feedback on the feasibility and viability of digital transmission options for regional television services.
A total of 48 submissions were received in response to the paper.
The feedback received will help to inform decisions which are expected to be made by Government at the end of the year.
Submissions
List of submitters and their submissions received in response to the Digital futures discussion paper.
September workshops presentation
The Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage (MCH) merged presentation - 15 September 2009.
Digital futures September workshops
MED and MCH held information workshops to outline the proposals and options contained in the discussion document.
Discussion paper - published August 2009
This discussion document outlines the issues relating to achieving a fully digital television broadcasting environment and the allocation of the digital dividend spectrum resulting from the upcoming Digital Switch-Over (DSO) process.
Media release
Media statement released 11 August 2009 from Hon Steven Joyce - Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman - Minister of Broadcasting.
Realising the digital dividend
The Ministry of Economic Development held an industry workshop to outline the scope of present work, and to gather information about the so-called “digital dividend” spectrum.
The digital dividend in New Zealand - scoping paper
This paper provides a background to major changes in radio frequency usage being planned following the switch-over to fully digital television services.
Kordia report
This report is prepared for the Ministry of Economic Development in support of the discussion paper “Digital Futures - Planning for Digital Television and New Uses” released jointly by the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage in August 2009.
