Thursday 23 December 1999
By eBroadcast Staff and agencies.

Canberra television networks will commence digital broadcasting at least one year later than their State capital city counterparts. Under the Australian Government's new regulations, broadcasters in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane will commence digital transmission in 2000, while regional areas will be given a further three years to make the change.

WIN chief executive John Rushton said Canberrans would be forced to wait an extra year for the service due to high demand for vital equipment, while Prime general manager Chris O'Donnell said regional areas have significantly greater technical requirements than their metropolitan counterparts.

A spokesman for the Australian Broadcasting Authority emphasised however that there was no reason why broadcasters could not commence transmission in Canberra in 2001.