The Australian government has decided to release 126 MHz of broadcasting spectrum as a digital dividend. This spectrum will become available as a result of the switch to digital-only television broadcasting, which will be completed in Australia by 31 December 2013. The digital dividend will be released as a contiguous block of spectrum in the upper UHF band, comprising the frequency range 694 to 820 MHz inclusive. The government aims to auction the digital dividend spectrum in the second half of 2012. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) plans to release a discussion paper on the digital dividend in the third quarter of this year, setting out planning and allocation issues and options for new spectrum licences. ACMA will plan the digital dividend in full consultation with spectrum users.
