Current status
Unallocated BSB spectrum known as Channel A and Channel B was previously reserved for digital television services such as a limited range of in-home broadcasting services and for mobile television services. However, the concept of Channel A and Channel B was discarded by the government as part of the policy review of the allocation and use of spectrum known as the digital dividend (spectrum to be vacated upon the switch-off of analog television).
In November 2009, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy announced that, as part of a pathway to digitisation, unassigned spectrum previously known as Channel A would be allocated to community television in each mainland metropolitan market until analog switch-off in 2013. In June 2010 the Minister announced that the government had decided to release 126 MHz of BSB spectrum as a digital dividend. This announcement left the former Channel Bs available only for temporary use until the process of analog switch-off is completed.
The ACMA issued scientific licences using this temporarily available spectrum to a number of applicants in 2010. These licences authorised trials of 3D television in limited locations. In September 2010 the ACMA issued a discussion paper The future of temporary trials of 3D TV and other emerging technologies. This paper sought comment on the temporary use of Channel B spectrum until analog switch-off.
Any allocation of the former Channel A spectrum beyond the temporary allocation to community television in metropolitan areas is a policy matter for the government. You may wish to contact the relevant policy making department, the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE).
The Broadcasting and Switchover Policy Branch is the appropriate area. The switchboard number is (02) 6271 1000.
