Australia to begin DVB-T2 broadcast trials

Free TV and Broadcast Australia are to conduct trials of the digital terrestrial broadcast standard DVB-T2, which has the potential to allow 4KTV reception.

Broadcasters SBS and ABC will also participate in the Sydney-based trials, which will determine whether Australia will upgrade from its existing DVB-T standard in line with the UK, India, New Zealand and Malaysia.

“Terrestrial free-to-air television delivers its service to 99% of the population and over 20 million Australians tune into television every week. This trial is an important part of ensuring that when the time is right, the terrestrial television platform is ready for the next stage of its evolution and that it can deliver the best possible viewing experience,” said Peter Lambourne, CEO, Broadcast Australia (BA).

Free TV CEO Bridget Fair said: “While our current platform has many years of life in it, this trial is about planning for our long-term future. Over the past 62 years, television broadcasters have demonstrated their ability to evolve with the times, from black and white to colour, analogue to digital, standard to high definition. I’m very pleased to be working with BA to ensure that all Australians will continue to have access to the free news, sport and entertainment programmes that they rely on and love.”

Read more: Australia to begin DVB-T2 broadcast trials | Broadcast | News | Rapid TV News

By Rebecca Hawkes