Conroy sets 2013 for Digital Switch The new Rudd Government has ordered that free-to-air television be broadcast only in a digital signal in all major cities by 2009 with a final switch-over across the nation by 2013. Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy minister Stephen Conroy today announced there would be a firm end date for the transmission of television in the old analogue signal form - still used by the majority of households. The Howard government before the 2004 election had proposed a date of 2008 for the switch to digital television in the cities and last year had suggested a window of up to 2012 but had not specified when the old system would end. Senator Conroy said moving the date for digital television in the major metropolitan markets to 2009 was practical with 2008 looming so quickly and so many consumers sticking with their old televisions. “This is clearly an impossible date for both viewers and industry. The Government has inherited a digital take up rate of approximately 30 per cent and will now work with industry to ensure that all Australians are prepared for digital television,’’ he said “Accordingly, I have amended the date for commencement of digital only transmission in metropolitan markets to December 2009. This will allow time for the Taskforce and industry to develop a detailed switchover timetable for all of Australia.” Senator Conroy said he had created a Digital Switchover Taskforce under the head of Digital Australia, Andy Townend – the British expert hired by the previous government at $230.000 a year – to oversee the eventual switchover. “Setting a firm date of 2013 for the switchover from analogue to digital television transmission in Australia has given industry the certainty it needs to drive consumer uptake of digital television,’’ Senator Conroy said. “Until now, industry has had no declared end date and has been unable to plan effectively for digital television.’’ The announcement of Mr Townend’s new role follows Senator Conroy’s strident attacks against the creation of the Digital Australia, describing it to The Australian’s Mark Day shortly before the election as "nothing more than a stunt designed to make us think something was happening'', and arguing its functions would best be taken over by the Department. Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, has confirmed that the first firm steps had been taken on the road to completing switchover by the end of 2013. The Minister established a Digital Switchover Taskforce in the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (a re-branded version of Digital Australia), to be headed by Andy Townend (formally Exec Director of Digital Australia) to work with industry and report back to Minister with a comprehensive switchover timetable by September 2008. The Government has amended the previous Government’s legislated metro switchover date of December 2008 by extending the date for commencement of digital only transmission in metropolitan markets by a further 12 months to December 2009. This date should not considered a final date for switchover in metro markets (although I am sure some will jump to that conclusion because of the way the release was written) – it just allows time for Andy Townend and his taskforce team to develop a detailed switchover timetable for all of Australia.