3. DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) Link to this
to the Minister of Broadcasting
What recent announcements have been made regarding digital switch-over?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Broadcasting) Link to this
Earlier today the Government announced that New Zealand will complete the switch-over to digital television by 2013. Our election promise was to achieve digital switch-over by 2015, at the latest. With 70 percent of New Zealand households now watching digital television, we believe that it is time to make a formal announcement of the digital switch-over date, so that the public, broadcasters, retailers, and installers can make preparations for a seamless transition to the digital environment.
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
Digital television gives the viewer the benefit of enhanced reception, better picture quality, and more channels. The switch to digital television will free up radio spectrum, which will be ideal for fourth-generation mobile technologies. This will provide New Zealanders with access to faster mobile broadband services with improved coverage. Completing digital switch-over by 2013 will bring forward the economic benefits for New Zealand, which are estimated to be between $1.1 billion and $2.4 billion over the next 20 years.
Chris TremainHon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
The first regions to complete the switch to digital television will be Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast in September 2012. They will be followed by the rest of the South Island in April 2013, and the lower North Island and Gisborne in September 2013. The rest of the North Island will be completed in November 2013. A comprehensive communications campaign will be launched later this year to provide additional information and support about digital switch-over. The Government is allocating $37 million over 4 years to support a smooth transition to digital television.
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
Digital television technology makes more efficient use of radio spectrum than analog technology does. Switching to it will free up a large amount of spectrum in the 700 megahertz band for new uses. We expect that one of the principal uses of the spectrum will be for fourth-generation mobile technologies, which will give New Zealanders access to faster mobile broadband services with improved coverage. This will allow New Zealand to keep pace with international developments in radio communications and information technology, and will be crucial if New Zealand is to increase productivity and enhance economic growth. Today’s announcement supports the Government’s economic growth agenda and is great news for the country.