Over August-September 2009, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) and the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) [now Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment] invited submissions on a public discussion paper outlining options for the transition of regional television to digital transmission, and proposed changes to the VHF and UHF radio spectrum bands. These matters are related to the upcoming switch-over of television broadcasting to digital-only transmission.
In September, the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) (now Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment) and the Ministry held information workshops on the discussion paper.
MED made a presentation on spectrum planning for digital television and reallocation of UHF spectrum for new uses (the “digital dividend”) after digital switch-over. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage presented the options and issues in relation to the transition to digital transmission for regional and community broadcasters.