All Australian homes will have access to 16 free digital TV channels within the next four years under a plan to bring satellite coverage to the regions. The Federal Government has announced a satellite service for viewers in regional blackspot areas as part of the analog signal switch-off scheduled for the close of 2013.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said the satellite signal — which will cost AU$40 million a year — was both a safety net and a future-proofing measure to cater for population growth. About 247,000 Australians are not reached by a broadcaster-run TV tower and 155,000 of those rely on local council-run services, many of which, Conroy said, were held together with "sticky tape". Under the plan, the TV broadcasters have agreed to upgrade 100 of the 600 local council towers to provide homeowners with digital TV via a STB. Residents in areas not upgraded will be able to get a satellite service and receive a AU$$300 subsidy to pay half of the cost of installing a satellite dish.

The list of sites to be upgraded is under negotiation between the Government and broadcasters. Pensioners who need to install a set-top box will also get in-home assistance from the Government. Homes in blackspot areas will have to pay the full AU$600 cost, but the Government is not sure as yet how many will be affected. Senator Conroy said regional Australians would still be able to watch local news services with a dedicated local channel included in the transmission.

The switch-off will also allow the Government to potentially reap more than a billion Australian dollars from the sale of the remaining wireless spectrum, which will be auctioned off before 2013. (Source: Emma Chalmers, CourierMail.com.au)