Frequently asked questions

1. What is digital switch-over?

In the past all television programmes were broadcast in analogue format. New Zealand is currently in a transition period – digital television has been introduced and television programmes are being broadcast in both analogue and digital transmission.

At digital switchover (DSO) all free-to-air analogue television transmissions are “switched-off” and all broadcast transmission will be in a digital format.

2. When will digital switch-over happen?

We still have to decide when switchover will occur, but on the basis of digital television take-up to date, which has now topped 60 percent, it is likely to be in the period 2013 - 2015. An announcement of the official switchover date will be made when the digital television take-up reaches 75 per cent, or in 2012, whichever happens first.

3. What will be the benefits of digital switch-over?

Ageing and obsolete analogue technology which is expensive to maintain will be retired and replaced with technology which is up-to-date, future-proofed, and energy efficient.

For viewers, DTV provides higher quality picture and sound than analogue. It also enables the introduction a range of services not available in analogue such as electronic programme guides (EPG), interactive programmes, and connection to the internet.

It also makes sound economic sense for New Zealand to switchover to digital only television transmission. A cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of DSO in New Zealand shows here will be a significant net economic benefit to New Zealand if DSO take place by 2015. The CBA calculates that if DSO occurs in 2015, the net economic benefit to New Zealand will be in the order of $317 million.

4. Are all New Zealanders able to receive free-to-air digital television?

Yes, in facilitating the establishment of the Freeview free-to-air digital platform government supported a hybrid satellite and terrestrial platform to ensure all New Zealanders can receive free-to-air DTV. Terrestrial coverage (DTT) currently reaches 75 per cent of the population; while satellite coverage (DTH) is nationwide.

5. What is the “digital dividend”?

Digital transmission requires considerably less band width than analogue transmission. The “digital dividend” (in spectrum terms) is the freed-up spectrum that becomes available through the conversion of analogue transmission to digital and the implementation of a technically efficient band plan for digital television broadcasting. This process will result in both VHF and UHF spectrum being available for allocation to new services.

6. What is being consulted on?

Following digital switchover, the government will be making changes to the VHF and UHF radio spectrum bands that are currently used for analogue television. The two-part discussion document considers:

• options for a new technically efficient band plan and post-DSO spectrum allocation; and
• options for the transition of regional broadcasters to digital transmission.
  

7. How is the government proposing to reallocate spectrum?

UHF:

• Approximately 100 MHz for current commitments to a core nationwide digital television block
• Approximately 100 MHz for additional television licences in main urban centres (including provision for potential extension of DTT coverage beyond the current 75 per cent of households) and rural broadband in less populous areas.
• Approximately 100 MHz released as “digital dividend” for new uses such as 4th generation (4G) mobile broadband.

VHF:

• Future use of the VHF bands for digital television is impracticable, since digital receivers used in New Zealand generally only receive the UHF band. Planning the VHF bands is considered secondary to the UHF band. The discussion paper, however, invites feedback as to what types of uses the VHF spectrum might best be allocated for.
• It’s proposed that the 50 51 MHz range be allocated for use by the Amateur radio service prior to any broader future re-allocation.
  

8. Is there sufficient spectrum allocated to accommodate all current television broadcasters?

Digital technology is much more efficient than analogue technology. This means that up to ten programmes can be broadcast per licence rather than just one as is the case using analogue. As a result, less spectrum is required to accommodate all of the Crown’s current contractual obligations. The proposed spectrum allocation provides for the continuation of existing broadcast spectrum commitments.

9. What about broadcasters’ interest in additional spectrum outside current commitments?

It is not possible to incorporate exclusive digital television spectrum allocations to meet the aspirations of all broadcasting interests. This is inevitable given the high value placed on the spectrum and the number of different users affected by the DSO process. The final decisions must necessarily balance a number of interests to maximise social and economic benefits to New Zealand.

10. Will implementation of the new UHF band plan cause major disruptions?

Frequency changes are inevitable for existing users of the UHF band but they are aware of this and any disruption is likely to be minimal.

11. How will digital switch-over affect regional broadcasters?

DSO has significant implications for regional broadcasters most of whom are yet to make the transition to DTV. Digital transmission costs are generally considerably higher than analogue costs and may be a challenge for many relatively low-cost regional broadcasters. In addition, ten of the twenty regional broadcasters are transmitting outside the digital terrestrial 75 per cent coverage area and for them, satellite transmission is likely to be unviable given the costs involved. The stand-alone analogue transmission arrangements of some regional broadcasters are also likely to be unviable with digital transmission.

Digital transmission does offer more opportunity for regional broadcasters to share resources such as licence capacity and content. One option for regional broadcasters is to consider the provision of regional content to a national or pan-regional content aggregator.

12. How will the government assist regional broadcasters to transition to a digital transmission?

The government can assist regional broadcasters with information on the broad options post-DSO. However, at the end of the day the final decisions are ones which broadcasters will have to make for themselves.

The public discussion document seeks feedback on what options might be feasible and workable. Government assistance, if any, for the transition is likely to be one-off, time-limited, and prioritised on the basis of a clear policy rationale rather than provided on a case-by-case basis.

13. What is happening internationally, and why does the discussion paper propose aligning the DSO spectrum plan with the United States and not Europe?

The United States (US) has already finalised and allocated its “digital dividend” and analogue transmission was switched off on 12 June 2009. The spectrum released for new mobile broadband uses is very similar to the spectrum proposed to be released in New Zealand. For the purposes of equipment supply it is sensible for New Zealand to align its digital dividend spectrum with that of the US.

Some European countries have made the switch to fully digital television transmission. However, Europe as a whole has not completed its digital dividend plan. It appears from discussions to date that there will be little harmonisation with the US and New Zealand spectrum allocation for new uses.

Australia has not yet announced decisions in relation to DSO and the digital dividend.