The introduction of digital television services may result in interference to certain types of television reception equipment. These interference problems can generally be easily resolved.

The free-to-air broadcasters have established a comprehensive strategy, with the strong encouragement of the Australian Government, to manage interference from digital television to some reception equipment, such as video cassette recorders and pay TV set top boxes. Additional information on this strategy, and the steps which can be taken by the viewer to rectify digital television related interference, can be found at the Digital Broadcasting Australia (DBA) website:

http://www.dba.org.au

DBA has been formed by industry to help make the transition from analog to digital television as seamless as possible for the consumer.

Viewers suffering such interference may also wish to contact the hotline established by the peak commercial television association, Free TV Australia, in conjunction with the national broadcasters, to examine viewer complaints about interference to television reception possibly arising from digital television transmissions:

Free TV Australia can be contacted by 02 8968 7100; http://www.freetv.com.au, or digitaltv@freetv.com.au.

If the interference appears to solely relate to national broadcasting services, viewers may wish to call the ABC on 1300 13 9994 (local call cost) or SBS on 1800 500 727 (free call) and ask to be put through to SBS Transmission Services.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is the independent statutory authority responsible for planning and licensing broadcasting services. Additional information on digital interference can be found its website:

http://www.acma.gov.au

Interference to the reception of television services may not be related to the commencement of digital services. This is likely if the reception difficulties existed prior to the commencement of digital television services in an area.