Digital dividend

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 digital dividend describes the radiofrequency spectrum that will be freed up when the switch off of analog television signals is completed by 31 December 2013. The digital dividend can potentially be used to provide Australians with new and improved communications services.

In order to release this highly valued spectrum, broadcasting services will need to be relocated out of the digital dividend spectrum range and organised more efficiently within their remaining spectrum allocation. This process is known as ‘restacking’.

The Government’s decision on the size and location of the digital dividend is an essential step to allow work on restacking and the allocation of the spectrum to commence. The Government intends that the digital dividend spectrum be cleared as soon as possible after the switch off of analog television services is completed by 31 December 2013.

The high quality free-to-air television services that Australians enjoy will continue to be provided.

The decision was made following extensive public consultation through the Digital Dividend Green Paper. The green paper and copies of submissions received are available below.

Green paper consultation

On 5 January 2010, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy announced the release of an Australian Government green paper on the digital dividend. It sought comments on potential uses of digital dividend spectrum, the potential benefits these uses could provide to the Australian community and economy, and the costs of realising a maximised digital dividend. The consultation period closed on 5 March 2010.