Digital futures September workshops

The Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) have 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 seeks stakeholder feedback on the feasibility and viability of digital transmission options for regional television services.

MED and MCH intend to hold information workshops to outline the proposals and options contained in the discussion document as follows:

• in AUCKLAND: Tuesday 8 September, 9am to 12noon
  KAURI ROOM, GUEDO Office – Level 6, The Tower Centre, 45 Queen St

• in WELLINGTON: Tuesday 15 September, 1.00pm to 4.00pm
  NGATA ROOM, Level 1 – 33 Bowen St – possible video conference with Christchurch (dependant upon registrations)

If you wish to attend one of these workshops, please email your name, organisation and contact details, and the venue you will be attending to radiospectrum@med.govt.nz by 31 August 2009.

If you are not able to attend one of these workshops but would like to be involved through some other means such as a teleconference, please inform us by 24 August so we can investigate suitable arrangements.

In addition, MED and MCH intend to hold Māori stakeholder sessions in conjunction with the main workshops. If you are interested in attending such sessions please signal this interest in an email prior to 24 August to the above address and we will subsequently inform you of the times and venues.

Please feel free to bring this topic to the attention of other parties who you think may be interested. Submissions on the proposals contained in this paper and on any related issues are to be received by the Ministry no later than 30 September 2009.

Submissions should be emailed to: radiospectrum@med.govt.nz, subject line: “Digital Futures Discussion Document” (preferred option) or mailed to:

Digital Futures Discussion Document
Radio Spectrum Policy and Planning
Ministry of Economic Development
PO Box 1473
Wellington 6140

If you have specific questions regarding regional broadcasting, you may like to contact Sarah Tebbs at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage on

Sarah.Tebbs@mch.govt.nz
DDI: 04 496 6353