NSW ACT and Southern Tablelands Switchover Area

New South Wales— ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area Switchover window 1 January – 30 June 2012 JUNE 2011

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Published by the Australian Communications and Media Authority Contents

acma | iii 1/ Coverage evaluation matrix

The following table references typical terms used in this report as a description of digital coverage and reception. As these terms have specific technical and engineering definitions, the table has been prepared to provide the reader with a reference point. 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 should provide good signal reception over an area, some statistical signal variations could potentially cause occasional reception At least difficulties. Potential one below Above The rural notional receiving minor Adequate Rural suburban threshold system with 10m antenna issues threshold height* may be required in some areas to avoid digital reception issues. *As defined in the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Planning Handbook, the ABA, 2005. Isolated^—affects less At least than approximately 5% of one below Poor the populated area. rural threshold Patchy^—affects between approximately 5% and 25% of the populated area Below Below Issues rural threshold Widespread^—affects 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 affected population.

4 | acma Executive summary

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) performed field survey measurements as part of its coverage evaluation program (CEP) across the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Southern Tablelands switchover area between November 2010 and January 2011. Based on the evidence gathered through prediction modelling and survey measurements, the ACMA has determined that the 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 (same coverage policy objective).1

While the ACMA has determined that licensed broadcasters in the switchover area are in general meeting their coverage obligations, it is likely that a number of households in marginal or signal-deficient areas will experience both poor analog and digital television reception. Potential widespread reception issues have been identified in the townships of (population in brackets) Beridale (844), Bungendore (2,183), Burra Creek (181), Captains Flat (447), Dalton (<100), Delegate (306), Nimmitabel (237) and Perisher Village (136). In addition, Braidwood (1,108), Cooma (6,587), Queanbeyan (29,280), Jindabyne (2,321), Thredbo (477) and Yass (5,333) are likely to experience patchy reception issues. The ACMA also identified other locations where analog and digital coverage inconsistency could potentially cause some minor reception problems (see Appendix F for area-specific details).

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/services will be implemented to provide terrestrial television coverage to nominated areas. Berridale, Burra Creek, Condor, Eastgrove and Gunning are currently served by analog self-help retransmission facilities. While the Conder, Eastgrove and Gunning transmitters are being considered by broadcasters for conversion from analog to digital, the self-help services at Berridale and Burra Creek are not. In addition, there is a hybrid site at Captains Flat where broadcasters are considering the conversion of the self-help services.2 There is a possibility that areas currently served by analog self-help services/facilities not currently listed for conversion to digital may become signal- deficient or lose access to some services after the digital switchover. In addition to the conversion of self-help services, broadcasters are considering the installation of a digital gap filler site at Bungendore to extend and or improve digital television coverage to this area.

The ACMA has received IPs 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 ABC and SBS (national services) with the exception of IPs for services from Fraser. The ACMA is currently processing a Prime-submitted IP for its service from Bombala while all commercial broadcasters are yet to submit IPs for services from Weston Creek/Woden

1 The same coverage policy objective as outlined in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 states that as soon as is practicable after the commencement of the required analog/digital television simulcast period in an area, broadcasters must provide the same level of coverage in digital mode as is provided by existing corresponding analog television services. 2 A hybrid site is a transmitter with a mix of broadcaster-owned and -operated and analog self-help services.

acma | 5 and Thredbo. WIN has an outstanding IP for a service from Braidwood and SCM is yet to submit an IP for its service from Captains Flat.

According to the ACMA’s records, the majority of expected national and commercial services have been rolled out in the switchover area with the exception of SCM, which is yet to roll out services from Captains Flat, and all commercial broadcasters, which are yet to commence services from Thredbo. The ABC and SBS have indicated that they are not planning to roll out national digital services from Fraser as they believe services from the Canberra transmitter can adequately cover the area and fulfil the same coverage obligation. Similarly, commercial broadcasters are considering whether to implement digital services from the Weston Creek/Woden site as they believe areas previously served in analog from this transmission site can be adequately served from the Tuggeranong transmission facility. Broadcasters are still expected to submit IPs for these sites that demonstrate how the same coverage policy objective will be achieved.

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 any applicable satellite access arrangements. The population centre of Perisher Village falls within an overlap area between the ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area and the Remote Central and Eastern TV1 and TV2 licence areas, meaning they will be able to access the VAST service subject to satellite access arrangements specific to remote licence areas.

6 | acma 2/ ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area

The ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area (refer to Appendix A) is located in the Southern NSW TV1 licence area and is overlapped by the Remote Central and Eastern Australia TV1 and TV2 licence areas (refer to Appendix C).

The switchover area covers approximately 29,500 square kilometres and, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Census data, has an estimated population of 427,700. For the purposes of the ACMA’s coverage assessments, a total of 25 urban centres/localities were identified within the switchover area.3

The switchover area is served by two main transmitters—one at Telecom Tower, Black Mountain, Canberra, and the other at Mt Roberts, approximately 35 kilometres north of Cooma. In addition, there are nine broadcaster-owned and -operated translator sites, five analog self-help facilities and one hybrid site (refer to Appendix B). As previously mentioned, there is a possibility that an additional digital gap filler facility may be implemented at Bungendore.

Tables 1—3 outline all the existing 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 of the broadcaster and numbers designate the radiofrequency channel number. If the service has not yet been rolled out, the call sign will be in the table in bold text.

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.

acma | 7 Table 1 Broadcaster-owned and -operated sites

Area served Switchover solution ABC SBS Net. 7 Net. 9 Net. 10 (Prime) (WIN) (SCM) Canberra— Broadcaster converted— A:ABC9 A:SBS28 A:CBN34 A:WIN31 A:CTC7 Telecom site, DCP planned, IP required, D:ABC9A D:SBS30 D:CBN12 D:WIN11 D:CTC6 Black same coverage obligation. Mountain Tower (Main transmitter) Cooma/ Broadcaster converted D:ABSN29 A:CBN42 A:WIN39 A:CTC10 Monaro—Mt commercial services—DCP D:CBN43 D:WIN40 D:CTC32 Roberts planned, IP required, same (Main coverage obligation. New transmitter). ABC digital service implemented. Not in DCP, no IP required, no same coverage obligation. Bombala Broadcaster converted D:ABSN62 A:CBN64 A:WIN61 A:CTC2 commercial services—DCP D:CBN63 D:WIN60 D:CTC59 planned, IP required, same coverage obligation. New ABC digital service implemented. Not in DCP, no IP required, no same coverage obligation Braidwood Broadcaster converted— A:ABN57 A:SBS54 A:CBN66 A:WIN63 A:CTC60 DCP planned, IP required, D:ABN56 D:SBS53 D:CBN65 D:WIN62 D:CTC59 same coverage obligation. Cooma Town Broadcaster converted— A:ABSN0 A:SBS53 A:CBN65 A:WIN62 A:CTC59 DCP planned, IP required, D:ABSN55 D:SBS67 D:CBN64 D:WIN61 D:CTC58 same coverage obligation. Fraser DCP planned, IP required, A:ABC56 A:SBS53 same coverage obligation. Goulburn Broadcaster converted— A:ABN55 A:SBS58 A:CBN64 A:WIN61 A:CTC10 DCP planned, IP required, D:ABN56 D:SBS59 D:CBN65 D:WIN62 D:CTC68 same coverage obligation. Jindabyne Broadcaster converted— A:ABSN60 A:SBS69 A:CBN63 A:WIN57 A:CTC66 DCP planned, IP required, D:ABSN59 D:SBS53 D:CBN62 D:WIN56 D:CTC65 same coverage obligation. Thredbo Broadcaster converted— A:ABN34 A:SBS31 A:CBN46 A:WIN43 A:CTC40 DCP planned, IP required, D:ABSN33 D:SBS30 D:CBN45 D:WIN42 D:CTC39 same coverage obligation. Tuggeranong Broadcaster converted— A:ABC60 A:SBS54 A:CBN69 A:WIN66 A:CTC63 DCP planned, IP required, D:ABC59 D:SBS57 D:CBN68 D:WIN65 D:CTC62 same coverage obligation. Cooma Town Broadcaster converted— A:ABSN0 A:SBS53 A:CBN65 A:WIN62 A:CTC59 DCP planned, IP required, D:ABSN55 D:SBS67 D:CBN64 D:WIN61 D:CTC58 same coverage obligation. Weston Existing analog commercial A:ABC55 A:SBS58 A:CBN64 A:WIN61 A:CTC67 Creek/Woden services not expected to be D:ABC59 D:SBS57 D:CBN68 D:WIN65 D:CTC62 converted.4 DCP planned, IP required, same coverage obligation.

8 | acma Table 2 Self-help retransmission sites

Area served Switchover solution ABC SBS Net. 7 Net. 9 Net. 10 (Prime) (WIN) (SCM) Berridale Community-funded SBS— A:SBS36 not planned in DCP, no IPs, no same coverage requirement. Not on broadcaster candidate list for conversion. Burra Creek Community-funded analog— A:ABC55 A:SBS67 A:CBN64 A:WIN61 A:CTC58 not planned in DCP, no IPs, no same coverage requirement. Not on broadcaster candidate list for conversion. Conder Community-funded analog— A:ABC49 A:SBS52 A:CBN43 A:WIN40 A:CTC46 not planned in DCP, no IPs, no same coverage requirement. On broadcaster candidate list for conversion. Eastgrove Community-funded analog— A:ABN40 A:SBS43 A:CBN49 A:WIN46 A:CTC52 not planned in DCP, no IPs, no same coverage requirement. On broadcaster candidate list for conversion. Gunning Community-funded analog— A:ABC58 A:SBS67 A:CBN64 A:WIN61 A:CTC55 not planned in DCP, no IPs, no same coverage requirement. On broadcaster candidate list for conversion.

4 Commercial broadcasters are confident that digital services from the Tuggeranong transmitter can adequately cover areas previously served in analog from Weston Creek/Woden.

acma | 9 Table 3 Hybrid sites

Area Switchover solution ABC SBS Net. 7 Net. 9 Net. 10 served (Prime) (WIN) (SCM) Captains Community-funded analog A:ABQ47 A:SBS53 A:CBN64 A:WIN61 A:CTC58 Flat national services—not (self-help) (self-help) D:CBN65 D:WIN62 D:CTC59 planned in DCP, no IPs, no (b’caster (b’caster (b’caster same coverage requirement. conversion) conversion) conversion) Not on broadcaster candidate list for conversion. All commercial services DCP planned, subject to IP requirements and same coverage obligations.

10 | acma 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 (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 the same level of coverage and potential reception quality as is available in analog mode. There are two commercial and two national DCPs applicable to the ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area—the national and commercial Australian Capital

acma | 11 Territory DCPs were finalised in October 1999 and the national and commercial inland NSW DCPs were finalised in May 2002.

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 implementation plans (IP) 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.5

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). The ACMA is currently processing a Prime-submitted IP for a service from Bombala. Prime, WIN and SCM are yet to submit IPs for services from Thredbo; WIN has an outstanding IP for a service from Braidwood; and SCM is yet to submit an IP for its service from Captains Flat.

The ABC and SBS have indicated that they are not planning to roll out national digital services from Fraser as they believe services from the Canberra transmitter can adequately cover the area and fulfil the same coverage obligation. Similarly, commercial broadcasters are considering whether to implement digital services from the Weston Creek/Woden site as they believe areas previously served in analog from this transmission site can be adequately served from the Tuggeranong transmission facility. Broadcasters are still expected to submit IPs for these sites that demonstrate how the same coverage policy objective will be achieved.

As previously mentioned, broadcasters are considering services in addition to those listed in the DCPs (gap fillers). 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 planned 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 five ministerial enquiries and 25 complaints were initiated in the ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area. The issues were concerned with analog and digital reception. In addition, a total of 178 ‘Out of Area Direct to Home’ satellite applications were approved within the licence area.6

The findings of the desktop modelling process inform the ACMA field survey measurement program. The ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area survey planning provides guidance to the ACMA’s field staff on where field measurements

5 A period in which a broadcaster is required to simultaneously transmit television services in analog and standard definition TV digital mode. 6 A satellite system enabling the delivery of national and 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.

12 | acma within the switchover market should be conducted. 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 284 locations throughout the switchover area between November 2010 and January 2011 (see Appendix E). 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.

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 in the switchover area (see Appendix F for breakdown of locality-specific results).

While the ACMA has determined that broadcasters are generally achieving the same coverage policy objective, allowances for the different broadcast characteristics of analog and digital television signals must be considered and factored into the analysis. 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. Households located in marginal reception areas are likely to experience this issue.

Signal-deficient areas While the ACMA has determined that licensed broadcasters in the switchover area are in general meeting their coverage obligations (with the possible exception of the circumstance noted above), it is likely that a number of households in marginal or signal-deficient areas will experience poor analog and digital television reception. Potential widespread reception issues have been identified in the townships of (population in brackets) Beridale (844), Bungendore (2,183), Burra Creek (181), Captains Flat (447), Dalton (<100), Delegate (306), Nimmitabel (237) and Perisher Village (136). In addition, Braidwood (1,108), Cooma (6,587), Queanbeyan (29,280), Jindabyne (2,321), Thredbo (477) and Yass (5,333) are likely to experience patchy reception issues.

Berridale, Burra Creek, Condor, Eastgrove and Gunning are currently served by analog self-help retransmission facilities. While the Conder, Eastgrove and Gunning transmitters are being considered by broadcasters for conversion from analog to digital, the self-help services at Berridale and Burra Creek are not. In addition, there is

acma | 13 a hybrid site at Captains Flat where broadcasters are currently considering the conversion of the self-help services. There is a possibility that areas currently served by analog self-help services/facilities not currently listed for conversion to digital may become signal-deficient or lose access to some services after the digital switchover. 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 is officially advised, this information should be considered as indicative only.

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

As previously mentioned, Thredbo Village falls within an overlap licence area between the ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area and the Remote Central and Eastern TV1 and TV2 licence areas. This being the case, any applicable VAST access arrangements specific to remote licence areas will be available to households in this area.

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 as the reception of distant weak television signals outside the planned service area will be generally unreliable. This may occur for a number of reasons including, but not limited to domestic reception systems such as antenna type and positioning. Fortuitous reception difficulties may also appear when analog switch-off occurs in adjacent switchover areas.

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

Conclusion The ACMA is satisfied that the ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover is progressing in accordance with the digital television switchover timetable and that broadcasters are in general meeting their obligations for IP submissions, same coverage and service rollout. No major issues are currently present or foreseen that would impede the switch-off of analog television broadcast services in the first half of 2012 (exact date yet to be determined). As previously indicated, there are still a number of IPs to be submitted and services to be rolled out across the area. 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 areas that may experience minor reception issues, and areas currently serviced by analog self-help facilities/services that may become signal-deficient after the analog switch-off. In consultation with broadcasters and industry representatives, the government is currently considering a number of options to provide alternative access to digital television.

14 | acma Broadcasters are currently considering converting three of the existing five analog self- help retransmission facilities/services in this switchover area to digital to extend or improve reception to signal-deficient areas. In addition, the self-help services from the hybrid transmitter at Captains Flat are also currently listed for conversion. It was also announced that a new digital ‘gap filler’ site will be implemented at Bungendore to provide terrestrial television coverage to that area. 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 | 15 4/ Appendix A

ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area

16 | acma 5/ Appendix B

Transmission sites in the ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area

acma | 17 6/ Appendix C

Licence areas overlapping the ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area

18 | acma 7/ Appendix D

Switchover areas adjacent to the ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area

acma | 19 8/ Appendix E

Measurement locations in the ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area

20 | acma 9/ Appendix F

Urban centre/locality-specific results for the ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area Urban centres/localities in Table 5 have been assessed based on a combination of the coverage prediction modelling, field survey measurements and engineering analysis.

Binalong and Yass are located in an overlap area between the ACT and Southern Tablelands switchover area and the South West Slopes and Eastern Riverina switchover area. Since Yass is best served by the Canberra transmitter, the coverage evaluation of this township is provided in this report. Binalong relies on coverage from the South West Slopes transmitter and this evaluated in the ACMA’s South West Slopes and Eastern Riverina switchover area report.

Table 5 Urban centre/locality assessments based on a combination of the coverage prediction modelling, field survey measurements and engineering analysis Urban centre/ Pop. Assessment Comments locality Urban centres/localities where no coverage and/or reception issues have been identified Canberra City 59,185 >The Canberra transmitter > No issue identified (20 measurement provides coverage locations) ranging from strong to very good

Gundaroo 331 >The Canberra transmitter > No issue identified (3 measurement locations) provides strong coverage

Sutton 220 >The Canberra transmitter > No issue identified (2 measurement locations) provides coverage ranging from very strong to very good

Urban centres/localities where minor service rollout coverage and/or reception issues have been identified Murrumbateman 1,758 >The Canberra transmitter > While coverage from the (9 measurement locations) provides coverage Canberra transmitter is at ranging from strong to least adequate, viewers adequate are more susceptible to reception difficulties and a rural antenna configuration (10m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception in some areas.

acma | 21 Weston Creek and Woden 51,307 > The combined coverage > At the time (13 measurement from the Canberra measurements were locations) transmitter and the taken, the Weston Weston Creek/ Creek/Woden translator Woden transmitter did not have all digital ranges from strong to services implemented (no very good. commercial services). These services are yet to be implemented and they are expected to provide similar digital coverage as the measured digital services. Urban centres/localities where coverage/reception issues have been identified Isolated issue(s) (where approximately <5% of populated areas show coverage/reception issues) Belconnen and Gungahlin 115,925 >The Canberra transmitter > While coverage from the (35 measurement provides coverage Canberra transmitter is locations) ranging from strong to no generally good, isolated coverage poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified in or near the suburb of Fraser. > At the time measurements were taken, the Fraser transmitter did not have its national digital services implemented. Tuggeranong 85,119 > The combined coverage > While the combined (36 measurement from the Canberra coverage from the locations) transmitter and the Canberra transmitter and Tuggeranong transmitter the Tuggeranong ranges from strong to transmitter is generally poor good, isolated poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified in the suburb of Conder. > Isolated reception difficulties have been identified with digital services in an isolated urban area in the suburb of Kambah. These reception difficulties are being considered for further analysis. > Rural antenna configuration (10m antenna height) may be required for reliable

22 | acma digital reception in some urban areas. > The Conder retransmission site does not provide digital services. This site is on the broadcasters’ candidate list for conversion. Goulburn 20,127 > The Goulburn transmitter> While coverage from the (23 measurement provides coverage Goulburn transmitter is locations) ranging from very good to generally good, isolated no coverage poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified. > Viewers in some suburban areas are more susceptible to reception difficulties and a rural antenna configuration (10m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception. > The Eastgrove retransmission site does not provide digital services. This site is on the broadcasters’ candidate list for conversion. Urban centres/localities where coverage/reception issues have been identified Patchy issue(s) (where approximately between 5% and 25% of populated areas show coverage/reception issues) Braidwood 1,108 > The Braidwood > While this town does not (6 measurement locations) transmitter provides appear to be coverage- coverage ranging from deficient, patchy very good to poor. reception difficulties have been identified with the WIN digital services. These issues are being considered for further analysis. Cooma 6,587 >The combined coverage > While the combined (16 measurement from the Cooma Town coverage from the locations) transmitter and the Cooma Town transmitter Coma/Monaro transmitter and the Coma/Monaro ranges from strong to transmitter is generally poor good, patchy poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified. > Viewers in some

acma | 23 suburban areas are more susceptible to reception difficulties and a rural antenna configuration (10m antenna height) may be required to avoid digital reception variability as caused by the suburban environment. > The Cooma/Monaro transmitter does not provide a full set of analog and digital services (no SBS). Broadcasters do not plan to implement additional digital services. Queanbeyan 29,280 >The Canberra transmitter > While coverage from the (9 measurement locations) provides coverage Canberra transmitter is ranging from strong to no generally good, patchy coverage. poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified. Gunning 487 >The Canberra transmitter > While coverage from the (5 measurement locations) provides coverage Canberra transmitter is ranging from variable generally adequate, adequate to poor. patchy poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified. > The Gunning retransmission site does not provide digital services. This site is on the broadcasters’ candidate list for conversion. Jindabyne 2,321 > The Jindabyne >While coverage from the (19 measurement transmitter provides Jindabyne transmitter is locations) coverage ranging from generally good, patchy strong to no coverage areas with no coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified. >Viewers in some suburban areas are more susceptible to reception difficulties and a rural antenna configuration (10m antenna height) may be required to avoid digital reception variability caused by the suburban

24 | acma environment.

Thredbo 477 > The Thredbo transmitter > While coverage from the (12 measurement provides coverage Thredbo transmitter is locations) ranging from strong to generally strong, patchy poor poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified. > Viewers are susceptible to patchy reception difficulties and a rural antenna configuration (10m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception. > At the time measurements were taken, the Thredbo transmitter did not have all digital services implemented. Three commercial services are yet to be implemented and are expected to provide similar coverage as the measured national digital services. Yass 5,333 >The Canberra transmitter > While the Canberra (21 measurement provides coverage transmitter provides good locations) ranging from very good to coverage to some areas, no coverage patchy poor coverage caused by local terrain obstructions has been identified. > Viewers in some suburban areas are more susceptible to reception difficulties and a rural antenna configuration (10m antenna height) may be required to avoid digital reception variability caused by the suburban environment. Urban centres/localities where coverage/reception/limited services issues have been identified

Widespread issue(s) (where approximately >25% of populated areas show coverage/reception/ limited services issues) Issues with limited services only

acma | 25 Adaminaby 234 > The Cooma/Monaro >The Cooma/Monaro (4 measurement locations) transmitter provides transmitter does not coverage ranging from provide a full set of digital very good to good and analog services (no SBS). Broadcasters do not plan to implement additional digital services. Bombala 1,206 > The Bombala transmitter > While coverage from the (5 measurement locations) provides coverage Bombala transmitter is at ranging from strong to least adequate, viewers adequate are more susceptible to reception difficulties and a rural antenna configuration (10m antenna height) may be required for reliable digital reception. > The Bombala transmitter does not provide a full set of digital services (no SBS and CBN). Broadcasters do not plan to implement SBS digital services. Prime (CBN) digital services are yet to be implemented and are expected to provide similar coverage as the measured digital services. Coverage/reception issues Berridale 844 > The Cooma/Monaro >The Cooma/Monaro (5 measurement locations) transmitter provides transmitter provides no coverage ranging from reliable coverage as the poor to no coverage town is located at the coverage fringe. >The Cooma/Monaro transmitter does not provide a full set of analog and digital services (no SBS). Broadcasters do not plan to implement additional digital services. >The Berridale retransmission site does not provide digital services. This site is not on the broadcasters’ candidate list for conversion.

26 | acma Bungendore 2,183 >The Canberra transmitter >The Canberra transmitter (11 measurement provides coverage provides no reliable locations) ranging from adequate to coverage in this area as no coverage the town is located at the coverage fringe.

Burra Creek 181 >The Canberra transmitter >The Canberra transmitter (10 measurement provides coverage provides no reliable locations) ranging from poor to no coverage in this area as coverage the town is located at the coverage fringe. > The Burra Creek retransmission site does not provide digital services. This site is not on the broadcasters’ candidate list for conversion. Captains Flat 447 >The Canberra transmitter >The Canberra transmitter (3 measurement locations) provides coverage provides no reliable ranging from poor to no coverage in this area as coverage the town is located at the coverage fringe. > At the time measurements were taken, the Captains Flat hybrid site did not have all digital services implemented. Three commercial services are yet to be implemented. Two national retransmission services are not on the broadcasters’ candidate list for conversion. Dalton <100 >The Canberra transmitter >The Canberra transmitter (1 measurement location) provides poor coverage provides no reliable coverage in this area as the town is located at the coverage fringe.

Delegate 306 > The Bombala transmitter > The Bombala transmitter (6 measurement locations) provides coverage provides no reliable ranging from adequate to coverage in this area as no coverage the town is located at the coverage fringe. > The Bombala transmitter does not provide a full set of digital services (no SBS). At the time measurements were taken, the Bombala

acma | 27 transmitter did not have Prime (CBN) digital services implemented. These services are yet to be implemented and are expected to provide similar coverage as the measured digital services. Nimmitabel 237 > The Cooma/Monaro > The Cooma/Monaro (5 measurement locations) transmitter provides transmitter provides no coverage ranging from reliable coverage in this variable adequate to area as the town is poor. located at the coverage fringe. > The Cooma/Monaro transmitter does not provide a full set of analog and digital services (no SBS). Broadcasters do not plan to implement additional digital services. Perisher Village 136 > The Cooma/Monaro > The Cooma/Monaro (5 measurement locations) transmitter provides no transmitter provides no coverage. reliable coverage in this area as the town is located at the coverage fringe. > The Cooma/Monaro transmitter does not provide a full set of analog and digital services (no SBS). Broadcasters do not plan to implement additional digital services. >Perisher Village is located in an overlap area between the Southern NSW TV1 licence area and the Remote Central and Eastern Australia TV1 and TV2 licence area.

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