Digital dividend

The digital dividend describes the radiofrequency spectrum that will become available when the switch off of analog television signals is completed by 31 December 2013.

On 24 June 2010, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy announced that the Australian Government has decided to release 126 MHz of contiguous spectrum in the frequency range 694 to 820 MHz inclusive as a digital dividend.

•  Media release: Size and Location of the Digital Dividend

The government's decision on the size and location of the digital dividend was made following extensive public consultation through the release of a green paper on the digital dividend in early 2010. The paper and copies of the submissions received are available on the digital dividend green paper page.

To release this highly valued spectrum, completion of three interlinking processes is necessary.

1. SWITCHOVER—This step refers to the process of converting free-to-air television services from analog to digital signals. Once this conversion is complete, the analog signals will be switched off and the parts of the spectrum formerly used for analog transmissions will become available, permitting refarming of this spectrum for alternative uses.
2. RESTACK—This step involves clearing digital broadcasting services from the digital dividend frequency range and reorganising them more efficiently in the remaining broadcasting spectrum below 694MHz. This process is known as 'restacking' and it will enable the spectrum to be made available to new users. The Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Dividend and Other Measures) Act 2011 sets a deadline of 31 December 2014 for completion of the restack.
3. REALLOCATION—This step refers to the packaging-up and auctioning of the digital dividend spectrum for new services.  

Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Dividend and Other Measures) Bill 2011 

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for the technical planning and engineering of the restack, reallocation and auction process.

• In October 2010, the ACMA released a public discussion paper which set out planning and allocation issues, and options for allocating the digital dividend spectrum. Submissions closed in December 2010, and the ACMA is considering the submissions received. 
  
  ACMA website: Consultation on the configuration and allocation of digital dividend spectrum  
  
  
• On 1 March 2011, the ACMA released another discussion paper, Clearing the Digital Dividend, which focuses on the process of clearing digital TV services from the digital dividend spectrum. This discussion paper sets out the proposed objectives and planning principles that will govern the preparation of channel plans for the restack. Submissions closed on 4 April, and the ACMA is considering the submissions received.
  
  ACMA website: Clearing the Digital Dividend—Planning objectives and principles for restacking digital television channels

 Further information on the digital dividend process is available from the ACMA website (www.acma.gov.au).

Document ID: 120296 | Last modified: 12 December 2011, 4:58pm