Queensland Wide Bay Switchover Area

Queensland— Wide Bay switchover area Switchover window 1 July – 31 December 2011 DECEMBER 2010

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Published by the Australian Communications and Media Authority 1/ Coverage evaluation matrix

Evaluation Coverage Affected Category Field Receptio Description of issue description services strength n quality

Suburban Above Strong n/a + 12 dB threshold

Suburban Above Very good n/a No issues All + 6 dB threshold

Above Good Suburban n/a threshold

While adequate coverage At least should provide good signal Minor one below Above reception over an area, some Adequate Rural issues suburban threshold statistical signal variations threshold can cause occasional reception difficulties Isolated*— relates to an issue identified as affecting less than At least approximately 5% of the one below populated area Poor rural Patchy*— threshold relates to an issue identified as affecting between Below Below approximately 5% and 25% Issues rural threshold of the populated area Widespread*—relates to an issue identified as affecting more than approximately 25% of the populated area No coverage All *Please note that this percentage figure should not be used to calculate the percentage of the affected population

acma | 3 Executive summary

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) performed field survey measurements as part of its coverage evaluation program (CEP) across the Wide Bay switchover area between December 2009 and March 2010, with further measurements undertaken in August and September 2010. Based on the available information and evidence gathered through prediction modelling and survey measurements, all planned digital services in the switchover area that have been rolled out are, in general, achieving the same level of coverage and potential reception quality in digital mode as is provided by existing analog television services.

While the ACMA has determined that licensed broadcasters in the switchover area are generally meeting their coverage obligations, it is likely that a number of households in marginal or signal-deficient areas will experience poor analog and digital television reception. These localities are (with population in brackets) The Hummock (503), Curra (1,375), Dundowran Beach (1,562), Gayndah (1,745), Goomeri (488), Kanigan (936), Kilkivan (339), Mundubbera (1,053), and Tin Can Bay (1,918).

Cooloola Cove/Tin Can Bay (1,940), Bancroft (255), Moonford (175) and Rosedale (1,077) are currently served by analog self-help retransmission facilities. While the Cooloola Cove/Tin Can Bay transmitter is currently being considered by broadcasters for conversion from analog to digital, Bancroft, Moonford and Rosedale are not. In addition, there are two hybrid sites (Eidsvold and Miriam Vale/Bororen) where the self- help services are not currently listed for conversion to digital.1 There is a possibility that areas currently served by analog self-help services that are not being considered for conversion to digital may become signal-deficient or lose access to some services after analog switch-off.

Households situated in remote licence areas and digital terrestrial television signal- deficient areas will have access to the Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service in line with applicable access arrangements. The population centres of Moonford and Bancroft fall within an overlap area between the Regional Queensland TV1 licence area and Remote Central and Eastern TV1 and TV2 licence areas and so will be able to access the VAST service, subject to access arrangements specific to remote licence areas.

The ACMA has identified other locations where analog and digital coverage inconsistency may cause some minor reception problems (see Appendix E for area- specific details). The ACMA predicts that a comparatively smaller percentage of households may experience analog and digital reception difficulties in these locations.

The ACMA has received implementation plans (IP) for the majority of planned services listed in the Digital Channel Plans (DCPs) for this switchover area. The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has approved all expected IPs for the ABC and SBS (national services), while the ACMA continues to liaise with Southern Cross Media (SCM) in relation to an outstanding IP for a service at Monto. The ACMA is currently processing an IP for a WIN service at Monto, while it has approved all other commercial IPs for planned services in this switchover area.

1 A hybrid site is a transmitter with a mix of broadcaster-owned and -operated and analog self-help services.

4 | acma According to the ACMA’s records, all planned national services listed in the DCPs have been rolled out in the switchover area. WIN and SCM have services listed in the DCPs that are yet to roll out from the Monto transmitter.

On 11 May 2010, the government announced that a substantial number of existing analog self-help retransmission facilities/services will be converted to digital. It was also announced that a number of new digital ‘gap filler’ sites will be implemented to provide terrestrial television coverage to nominated areas. The conversion of self-help facilities and the installation of gap filler sites is largely a decision for broadcasters and incumbent licensees. Presently, broadcasters are considering the installation of gap filler sites at Mundubbera, Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay to extend and/or improve digital television coverage to these areas. As previously mentioned, broadcasters have indicated the possible conversion of the existing analog self-help transmitter at Cooloola Cove (Tin Can Bay).2 These services are not planned in the DCPs and broadcasters are not legislatively obligated to submit IPs or roll out the services at any given point in time. Until a finalised list of self-help conversions and gap filler installations has been decided, this information should be considered as indicative only.

2 Tin Can Bay and Cooloola Cove (Tin Can Bay) are separate transmission sites. The Cooloola Cove analog self-help retransmission site serves the village of Cooloola Cove. The Tin Can Bay site presently has no licensed services but broadcasters are considering the installation of a gap filler service to adequately serve the town of Tin Can Bay as coverage from the Cooloola Cove site is poor.

acma | 5 2/ Wide Bay switchover area

The Wide Bay switchover area is located within the Regional Queensland licence area (refer to Appendix A) and overlaps the Remote Central and Eastern Australia TV1 and TV2 licence areas (refer to Appendix C).

The switchover area covers approximately 32,446 square kilometres and, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Census data, has an estimated population of 195,302. For the purposes of the ACMA’s coverage assessments, a total of 39 urban centres/localities were identified within the switchover area.3

The Wide Bay switchover area is served by one main transmitter located at Wide Bay, two broadcaster-owned and -operated translator sites, two hybrid sites and four analog self-help facilities (refer to Appendix B).4 As previously mentioned, there is the possibility that broadcasters may implement additional digital gap filler transmission facilities in the switchover area; however, the location of proposed gap filler sites is still being considered by the broadcasters and has not yet been finalised. Tables 1–3 outline all sites in the switchover area and provide a summary of services and switchover characteristics/solutions. A/D indicates analog or digital transmission, letters designate the service call sign and numbers designate the radiofrequency channel. The call sign is in bold text if the service has not yet rolled out.

Table 1 Broadcaster-owned and -operated sites

Area served Switchover solution ABC SBS Net. 7 Net. 9 Net. 10 (Seven) (WIN) (SCM) Wide Bay Broadcaster converted— (Main DCP planned, IP required, A:ABWQ6 A:SBS30 A:STQ8 A:RTQ39 A:TNQ33 transmitter) same coverage obligation. D:ABWQ9A D:SBS28 D:STQ7 D:RTQ10 D:TNQ9 Hervey Bay Broadcaster converted— DCP planned, IP required, A:ABWQ55 A:SBS52 A:STQ58 A:RTQ61 A:TNQ67 same coverage objective. D:ABWQ56 D:SBS53 D:STQ59 D:RTQ62 D:TNQ68 Monto Broadcaster converted— DCP planned, IP required, A:ABWQ56 A:SBS53 A:STQ59 A:RTQ65 A:TNQ62 same coverage obligation. D:ABWQ57 D:SBS50 D:STQ60 D:RTQ66 D:TNQ63

Table 2 Self-help retransmission sites

3 In broad terms, an urban centre is a population cluster of 1,000 or more people, while a locality is a population cluster of between 200 and 999 people. This geographical structure is defined by the 1996 Census edition of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification. 4 The self-help retransmission site at Agnes Water is assessed and reported on in the Capricornia switchover area report.

6 | acma Area served Switchover solution ABC SBS Net. 7 Net. 9 Net. 10 (Seven) (WIN) (SCM) Bancroft Community-funded analog —not planned in DCP, no A:ABWQ55 A:SBS58 A:STQ61 A:RTQ64 A:TNQ67 IPs, no same coverage requirement. Not on broadcaster candidate list for conversion. Cooloola Community-funded analog Cove —not planned in DCP, no A:ABWQ55 A:SBS58 A:STQ61 A:RTQ67 A:TNQ64 (Tin Can Bay) IPs, no same coverage requirement. On broadcaster candidate list for conversion. Moonford Community-funded analog —not planned in DCP, no A:ABWQ40 A:SBS52 A:STQ43 A:RTQ49 A:TNQ46 IPs, no same coverage requirement. Not on broadcaster candidate list for conversion. Rosedale Community-funded analog —not planned in DCP, no A:ABWQ57 A:SBS66 A:STQ60 A:RTQ69 A:TNQ63 IPs, no same coverage requirement. Not on broadcaster candidate list for conversion.

Table 3 Hybrid sites

Area served Switchover solution ABC SBS Net. 7 Net. 9 Net. 10 (Seven) (WIN) (SCM) Eidsvold ABC service—broadcaster converted; DCP planned, A:ABQ57 A:SBS54 IP required, same D:ABQ56 (self-help coverage obligation. (b’caster service) SBS not being considered conversion) for conversion. Miriam Vale/ ABC service—broadcaster Bororen converted; DCP planned, A:ABWQ55 A:SBS58 A:STQ61 A:RTQ64 A:TNQ67 IP required, same D:ABWQ56 (self-help (self-help (self-help (self-help coverage obligation. (b’caster service) service) service) service) SBS, Seven, WIN and conversion) SCM not being considered for conversion.

acma | 7 3/ Coverage evaluation

The ACMA’s CEP methodology

Figure 1 Methodology for the ACMA’s CEP

Figure 1 outlines the multi-layered methodology for the ACMA’s CEP. This program seeks to assess whether the same coverage objective has been met by relevant broadcasters in a particular switchover area.

The CEP also seeks to determine the boundaries of digital terrestrial coverage, identify areas of marginal or inconsistent digital terrestrial coverage, and verify the planning technical specifications and assumptions provided by broadcasters in their implementation plans. In addition, the program provides essential feedback on the accuracy of the ACMA’s initial desktop modelling.

Digital channel plans To facilitate the introduction of digital television, the ACMA developed national and commercial digital channel plans (DCPs) in line with the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Planning Handbook and its obligations under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (the BSA). DCPs determine which channels are to be allotted to each area, the assignment of channels to each broadcaster in that area and the technical characteristics of those channels.

DCPs are developed to give broadcasters the maximum envelope in which to plan their digital transmission coverage for an area, in order to achieve the policy objective of same level of coverage and potential reception quality as is available in analog mode. Both national and commercial DCPs for the Wide Bay switchover area were completed in October 2001.

8 | acma Implementation plans In accordance with the national and commercial television conversion schemes prepared by the ACMA under Schedule 4 to the BSA, commercial and national television broadcasters are required to prepare IPs relating to the conversion of the transmission of their services from analog to digital mode. IPs are a commitment by individual broadcasters to provide a television service in digital mode from specified sites to cover defined areas by specified dates. The aim is to achieve the same coverage in standard definition television digital mode as that service provides in analog mode. This objective is to be achieved as soon as is practicable after the simulcast period begins.

The ACMA has received IPs for the majority of planned services listed in the DCPs for this switchover area. The minister has approved all expected IPs for ABC and SBS (national services), while the ACMA continues to liaise with Southern Cross Media (SCM) in relation to an outstanding IP for its services at Monto. The ACMA is currently processing an IP for a WIN service at Monto, and has approved all other IPs for planned commercial services listed in the DCPs for this switchover area.

Broadcasters may be considering services in addition to those planned in the DCPs for this switchover area. There is no obligation for broadcasters to submit IPs to the ACMA or roll out services at any particular point in time for services that are not listed in the DCPs.

Survey planning As part of its methodology for assessing same coverage and potential reception quality, the ACMA undertakes desktop coverage modelling of a switchover area. This takes into account terrain, complaints to the ACMA from viewers within the area and, where possible, technical specifications of transmission facilities as outlined in implementation plans provided by broadcasters.

At the time of writing, a total of two ministerial responses and 16 complaints were initiated in the Wide Bay switchover area. The issues range from problems with reception to lack of programming content. In addition, a total of 204 ‘Out of Area Direct to Home’ satellite applications were approved within the licence area.5

The findings of the desktop modelling process inform the ACMA field survey measurement program. The Wide Bay switchover area survey planning provides guidance to the ACMA’s field staff on where field survey measurements should be conducted within the switchover market. This includes predicted or potential reception- deficient areas and other information on transmission facilities in the area.

Field survey measurement program The field survey measurement program enables the ACMA to acquire technical and signal data associated with analog and digital TV coverage and reception quality within a switchover area. The program is part of the ACMA’s CEP (Figure 1) and seeks to verify the information provided by broadcasters in their IPs as well as the predictions made as part of the ACMA’s initial desktop modelling.

The ACMA’s CEP performed field survey measurements at 118 locations throughout the Wide Bay switchover area between December 2009 and March 2010, and August and September 2010 (see Appendix D ).

5 A satellite system enabling the delivery of commercial analog television services to households within a commercial terrestrial licence area that experience poor or no coverage of local free-to-air commercial television.

acma | 9 The measurement results have been analysed and compared against the most appropriate coverage prediction models for the area. Field survey results align closely with predicted coverage findings and provide the ACMA with a high level of confidence in its CEP methodologies.

Same coverage Policy objectives under Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 4 to the BSA state that national and commercial broadcasters must, as soon as practicable after the start of the simulcast period, provide the same level of coverage and potential reception quality in digital mode as is broadcast in analog mode.6

Based on the results of the CEP for this switchover area, the ACMA concludes that the same level of coverage and potential reception quality is, in general, being achieved by licensed broadcasters (see Appendix E for breakdown of locality-specific results). While WIN and SCM are yet to roll out services from Monto, the channel planning parameters and technical specifications for the Seven, WIN and SCM services are the same. Given that Seven has rolled out services from Monto and is achieving the same coverage policy objective, the ACMA would accordingly expect that WIN and SCM will also meet their obligations once their services are rolled out. The ACMA is in ongoing discussions with broadcasters about these issues and will continue to monitor IP submissions and rollout progress across the switchover area.

While the ACMA has determined that broadcasters are generally achieving the same coverage policy objective, allowances for the different characteristics of analog and digital television signals must be made. While signal-deficient analog television or marginal area reception results in poor quality picture and sound that gradually degrades and becomes increasingly ‘snowy’ and/or ‘noisy’, it is still possible, depending on the viewer’s expectations, to watch the broadcast. In contrast, signal- deficient digital television or marginal area reception causes a digital broadcast to freeze, pixilate or totally drop out, rendering the broadcast unwatchable. A proportion of digital coverage issues that might occur in the switchover area are likely to be generated by households in marginal reception areas.

Signal-deficient areas While broadcasters are generally meeting their switchover obligations, some households in marginal areas of digital and analog coverage may receive inadequate television coverage or have perceived differences regarding the ‘watchability’ of analog and digital television services. These localities are (with population in brackets) The Hummock (503), Curra (1,375), Dundowran Beach (1,562), Gayndah (1,745), Goomeri (488), Kanigan (936), Kilkivan (339), Mundubbera (1,053) and Tin Can Bay (1,918).

Cooloola Cove/Tin Can Bay (1,940), Bancroft (255), Moonford (175) and Rosedale (1,077) are currently served by analog self-help retransmission facilities. While the Cooloola Cove/Tin Can Bay retransmission site is being considered by broadcasters for conversion from analog to digital mode, Bancroft, Moonford and Rosedale are not on the current broadcaster candidate list for conversion. In addition, there are two hybrid sites where the analog self-help services are not listed for conversion to digital. There is a possibility that areas currently served by analog self-help services not currently listed for conversion to digital may become signal-deficient after the digital switchover. As previously mentioned, Bancroft and Moonford fall within an overlap area between the Regional Queensland TV1 licence area and Remote Central and Eastern TV1 and TV2 licence areas. This being the case, any applicable VAST access

6 A period throughout which a broadcaster is required to simultaneously transmit television services in analog and standard definition TV digital mode.

10 | acma arrangements specific to remote licence areas will be available to households in these areas.

The ACMA identified other locations where analog and digital coverage inconsistency may cause some minor reception problems (see Appendix E for area-specific details).

Fortuitous reception issues The BSA mandates that broadcasting services be licensed and planned to serve specific geographic areas. In some circumstances it is possible, through CEP operational observations, for the ACMA to determine that households are receiving, or attempting to receive, television broadcast services that are not planned to serve their area. This form of reception is considered fortuitous. It is possible that households accessing fortuitous broadcast signals may experience reception difficulties before and/or after analog switch-off. This may occur for a number of reasons including, but not limited to, domestic reception systems such as antenna type and positioning, analog switch-off in adjacent switchover areas and the general unreliable nature of unplanned or distant weak television signals.

The ACMA did not identify any substantial issues related to fortuitous reception in this switchover area.

Conclusion The ACMA is generally satisfied that the Wide Bay switchover is progressing in line with the digital television switchover timetable and that broadcasters are meeting their obligations for IP submissions, same coverage and service rollout. No major issues have been identified or are foreseen that would impede the switch-off of analog television broadcast services in the second half of 2011 (exact date yet to be determined). As previously indicated, there is still an IP to be submitted and services to be rolled out from the Monto transmitter. The ACMA continues to liaise with broadcasters and is confident that all services will be successfully rolled out in accordance with planning guidelines and technical specifications before the end of the simulcast period.

In terms of television coverage from broadcaster-owned and -operated terrestrial transmission facilities, the ACMA has identified a number of existing signal-deficient areas or areas that may become signal-deficient after the analog switch-off. In consultation with broadcasters and industry representatives, the government is currently considering and finalising a number of options that will provide alternative access to digital television. A substantial number of existing analog self-help retransmission facilities/services will be converted to digital to extend or improve reception to signal-deficient areas. It was also announced that a number of new digital ‘gap filler’ sites will be implemented to provide terrestrial television coverage in some areas. For those households situated in digital signal-deficient areas, access arrangements for the VAST satellite service are currently being finalised.

DBCDE’s Digital Switchover Taskforce (DST) is responsible for overseeing Australia’s transition to digital television. The ACMA provides advice and consults widely with DST, broadcasters, industry representatives and the public to assist in facilitating an effective switch from analog to digital television.

acma | 11 4/ Appendix A

Wide Bay switchover area

12 | acma 5/ Appendix B

Transmission sites in the Wide Bay switchover area

acma | 13 6/ Appendix C

Licence areas overlapping the Wide Bay switchover area

14 | acma 7/ Appendix D

Measurement locations in the Wide Bay switchover area

acma | 15 8/ Appendix E

Urban centre/locality-specific results for the Wide Bay switchover area

Urban centres/localities in Table 4 have been assessed based on a combination of the coverage prediction modelling, field survey measurements and engineering analysis.

Table 4 Urban centre/locality assessments based on a combination of the coverage prediction modelling, field survey measurements and engineering analysis Urban centre/ Pop. CEP assessment Comments locality Urban centres/localities where no coverage and/or reception issues have been identified Bundaberg 42,13 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >No issues identified (10 8 very good coverage measurement locations)

Urban centres/localities where minor coverage and/or reception issues have been identified Boonooroo 345 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (3 measurement adequate coverage transmitter is generally good, some locations) areas have variable adequate coverage, which may cause reception difficulties. Booral 1,369 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (4 measurement coverage ranging from very good to transmitter is generally good, some locations) adequate areas have variable adequate >The Hervey Bay translator provides coverage, which may cause coverage ranging from adequate to reception difficulties. poor >Some viewers trying to receive services from the Hervey Bay translator may experience reception difficulties. Gin Gin 892 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (6 measurement coverage ranging from very good to transmitter is generally good, some locations near adequate areas have variable adequate Gin Gin) coverage, which may cause reception difficulties. Hervey Bay 32,59 >The Hervey Bay translator provides >While coverage from the Hervey (24 8 coverage ranging from strong to Bay translator is generally good, measurement adequate some suburban areas have variable locations) >The Wide Bay transmitter provides adequate coverage, which may coverage ranging from good to no cause reception difficulties. coverage >UHF Band 4 SBS digital services from the Wide Bay transmitter do not have coverage in some areas.

16 | acma Urban centre/ Pop. CEP assessment Comments locality Maryborough 18,78 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (8 measurement 6 coverage ranging from very good to transmitter is generally good, some locations) adequate suburban areas have variable adequate coverage, which may cause reception difficulties. Monto 1,159 >The Monto translator provides >While coverage from the Monto (8 measurement coverage ranging from good to translator is generally good, some locations) adequate localised terrain-related issues may >The Wide Bay transmitter provides cause reception difficulties. no coverage >The Monto translator does not currently provide a full set of digital services. >The Wide Bay transmitter provides no reliable digital coverage in this area. Rainbow Beach 999 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (4 measurement coverage ranging from good to transmitter is generally good, some locations) adequate suburban areas have variable adequate coverage, which may cause reception difficulties. >Broadcasters have proposed new gap filler for this area. Urban centres/localities where coverage and/or reception issues have been identified Widespread issue(s) (where approximately >25% of populated areas show coverage/reception issues7) Cooloola Cove 1,940 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >The Wide Bay transmitter provides (4 measurement coverage ranging from adequate to no reliable digital coverage in this locations) no coverage area. >The Cooloola Cove (Tin Can Bay) >The Cooloola Cove (Tin Can Bay) analog re-transmission transmitter re-transmission transmitter does not provides good coverage currently provide digital services. This site is on the broadcaster candidate list for conversion. Curra 1,375 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (4 measurement coverage ranging from good to no transmitter is generally adequate, locations) coverage some areas with no coverage have been identified. Dundowran 1,562 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay Beach coverage ranging from good to no transmitter and the Hervey Bay (4 measurement coverage translator is generally good, some locations) >The Hervey Bay translator provides areas with no coverage have been coverage ranging from good to no identified. coverage Eidsvold 459 >The Eidsvold hybrid site provides >While coverage from the Eidsvold (4 measurement coverage ranging from very good to hybrid site is generally good, some locations) adequate areas with variable adequate >The Wide Bay transmitter provides coverage may experience reception coverage ranging from poor to no difficulties. coverage >The Eidsvold hybrid site does not currently provide a full set of digital

7 This percentage figure is not indicative of the percentage of the affected population.

acma | 17 Urban centre/ Pop. CEP assessment Comments locality services. This site is not on the broadcaster candidate list for conversion.

Gayndah 1,745 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (6 measurement coverage ranging from good to no transmitter is generally good, some locations) coverage areas with no SBS analog and digital coverage have been identified. Goomeri 488 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >The Wide Bay transmitter provides (4 measurement coverage ranging from adequate to no reliable digital coverage in this locations) no coverage area. Kilkivan 339 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >The Wide Bay transmitter provides (3 measurement coverage ranging from adequate to no reliable digital coverage in this locations) no coverage area. Miriam Vale 361 >The Miriam Vale/Bororen hybrid site >The Miriam Vale/Bororen hybrid site (4 measurement provides good coverage does not currently provide a full set locations) >The Wide Bay transmitter provides of digital services. This site is not on no coverage the broadcaster candidate list for conversion. >The Wide Bay transmitter provides no reliable digital coverage in this area. Moonford 175 >The Moonford analog >The Moonford analog (4 measurement re-transmission transmitter provides re-transmission transmitter does not locations) good coverage provide digital services. This site is >No digital coverage from the Monto not on the broadcaster candidate translator list for conversion. >The Monto translator provides no reliable digital coverage in this area. Mundubbera 1,053 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >The Wide Bay transmitter provides (4 measurement coverage ranging from adequate to no reliable digital coverage in this locations) no coverage area. >Broadcasters have proposed a new gap filler for this area. Rosedale 1,077 >The Rosedale analog >The Rosedale analog (5 measurement re-transmission transmitter provides re-transmission transmitter does not locations) good coverage currently provide digital services. >The Wide Bay transmitter provides This site is not on the broadcaster coverage ranging from adequate to candidate list for conversion. no coverage >The Wide Bay transmitter provides no reliable digital coverage in this area. Tin Can Bay 1,918 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While the Wide Bay transmitter (5 measurement coverage ranging from adequate to provides generally adequate locations) poor coverage, some areas with no >The Cooloola Cove (Tin Can Bay) coverage have been identified. analog re-transmission transmitter >Broadcasters have proposed a new provides poor coverage gap filler for this area.

18 | acma Urban centres/localities in Table 5 have been assessed based on a combination of the coverage prediction modelling and engineering analysis, as the ACMA has not performed field survey measurements in these locations. Since field survey results from other locations in this switchover area have been aligned closely with predicted coverage findings, the ACMA has a high level of confidence in predictive modelling and assessment in this table.

Table 5 Urban centre/locality assessments based on a combination of the coverage prediction modelling and engineering analysis Urban centre/ Pop. CEP assessment Comments locality Urban centres/localities where no coverage and/or reception issues have been identified Aldershot 516 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >No issues identified (No coverage ranging from strong to measurement) very good Biggenden 644 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >No issues identified (No strong coverage measurement) Howard 1,071 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >No issues identified (No coverage ranging from strong to measurement) good Port Bundaberg 898 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >No issues identified (No coverage ranging from strong to measurement) very good Tiaro 430 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >No issues identified (No coverage ranging from strong to measurement) good Torbanlea 420 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >No issues identified (No coverage ranging from strong to measurement) very good Windermere 398 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >No issues identified (No coverage ranging from strong to measurement) good Woodgate 758 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >No issues identified (No coverage ranging from strong to measurement) very good

Urban centres/localities where minor coverage and/or reception issues have been identified Apple Tree 451 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay Creek (No coverage ranging from strong to transmitter is generally good, measurement) adequate isolated areas have predicted variable adequate coverage, which may cause reception difficulties. Bargara 5,525 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (No coverage ranging from strong to transmitter is generally good, measurement) adequate isolated suburban areas have predicted variable adequate coverage, which may cause reception difficulties.

acma | 19 Urban centre/ Pop. CEP assessment Comments locality Burnett Heads 2,419 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (No coverage ranging from strong to transmitter is generally good, measurement) adequate isolated suburban areas have predicted variable adequate coverage, which may cause reception difficulties. Childers 1,350 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (No coverage ranging from strong to transmitter is generally good, measurement) adequate isolated areas have predicted variable adequate coverage, which may cause reception difficulties. Coral Cove 517 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (No coverage ranging from strong to transmitter is generally good, measurement) adequate isolated areas have predicted variable adequate coverage, which may cause reception difficulties. Elliott Heads 810 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (No coverage ranging from strong to transmitter is generally good, measurement) adequate isolated areas have predicted variable adequate coverage, which may cause reception difficulties. Moore Park 1,595 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay Beach coverage ranging from strong to transmitter is generally good, (No adequate isolated areas have predicted measurement) variable adequate coverage, which may cause reception difficulties. Poona 290 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (No coverage ranging from very good to transmitter is generally good, measurement) adequate isolated areas have predicted variable adequate coverage, which may cause reception difficulties. River Heads 931 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (No coverage ranging from strong to transmitter is generally good, measurement) adequate isolated areas have predicted variable adequate coverage, which may cause reception difficulties.

Urban centres/localities where coverage and/or reception issues have been identified Isolated issue(s)(where approximately <5% of populated areas show coverage/reception issues) Kanigan 936 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (No coverage ranging from good to no transmitter is generally good, a few measurement) coverage small and isolated spots with no predicted coverage have been identified. Patchy issue(s) (where between approximately 5% and 25% of populated areas show coverage/reception issues) The Hummock 503 >The Wide Bay transmitter provides >While coverage from the Wide Bay (No coverage ranging from strong to no transmitter is generally good, some measurement) coverage. Most of The Hummock localised terrain-related issues are gets good coverage, but a small likely to cause reception difficulties area with no predicted coverage to a small area.

20 | acma Urban centre/ Pop. CEP assessment Comments locality has been identified

Widespread issue(s) (where approximately >25% of populated areas show coverage/reception issues) Bancroft <255 >The coverage from the Monto >Coverage from the Monto translator (No translator ranges from variable to ranges from variable to no measurement) no coverage coverage, which may cause >The Bancroft analog reception difficulties. re-transmission transmitter provides >The Monto translator does not good coverage currently provide a full set of digital >The Wide Bay transmitter provides services. no coverage >The Wide Bay transmitter provides no reliable digital coverage in this area. >The Bancroft analog re-transmission transmitter does not currently provide digital services. This site is not on the broadcaster candidate list for conversion.

acma | 21